REVIEW: Strangewife, Capgras Theatre Company, EdFringe 2025 ★★

Strangewife bills itself as a blend of Yorgos Lanthimos and Harold Pinter, boasting an intriguing concept, impressive design, and some moments of brilliance, but ultimately fails to quite live up to the image it projects of itself. 

Odd young widow Lauren hires waster actor Sidney to give her the ‘husband experience’, which to his mind is an escort service. However, Lauren has darker machinations, intending to shape Sidney into a replica of her deceased fiance Bruce in preparation for a faux-wedding that is hinted to be the gateway to something far darker. So far, so good. But the play fails to build to any kind of climax, stopping short of fully exploring the more interesting themes of obsessive desire and relinquishing control of your identity within a controlling relationship, choosing instead to focus on well-trodden concerns of insecurity and betrayal. It struggles to comment on any wider issues, and seems not to quite know what point it is trying to make.

The design elements are generally strong, featuring a complex technical set up with three video cameras that project the actors onto the backdrop in real time. These are generally used to good effect, providing different angles to highlight key moments and functioning diegetically as an intercom system and mirror. The actors change clothes on stage, to represent different characters and Sidney’s transformation into “Bruce”, and while initially effective it becomes tiring after the first few lengthy set and costume changes between scenes. The run time could have been dramatically shortened by some intentional editing of the set and costume elements, and consideration of their necessity to the story. 

Daniel Barney Newton gives a committed and often compelling performance as Sidney, effectively transforming before our eyes, and convincing us of his growing obsession with Lauren. Brooklyn Boukather is less effective as Lauren, giving a subdued performance that doesn’t quite reach the depth of grief or height of mania and control required. She also plays Sidney’s real-life girlfriend Leah, delivering a stronger, more grounded, naturalistic performance in this role.

There is a kernel of something in Strangewife that with a little tightening and dramaturgical attention could be shaped into something great. The effective use of tech and moments of strong acting keep the play afloat, even while leaving the audience wishing for something more to grab onto.

Recommended Drink: A chilled glass of white wine.

You can catch Strangewife at Front Room at Assembly Rooms from 31st July to 24th August at 19:45. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.