Issy Cory
‘Troublemaker’ by Olly Murs and Flo Rida is playing. The Eos balm is being passed around. There’s a Jack Wills perfume set on the shelf, and a Longchamp schoolbag. That’s right, it’s the early 2010s.
Cara and Kelly are, you guessed it, BFFs 4eva. That’s until new girl, and refugee, Sumaya turns up and starts poking holes in their friendship. When Sumaya is made captain of the netball team over Kelly, the two besties decide they have to do something drastic.
The 2013 aesthetic is scarily spot-on. As a 2000s baby, I felt personally afflicted by how many clichés were being thrown around from my teenage-hood. Clearly, research has been dutifully done.
Equally punchy, witty, and chatty, the script also delves into some dark themes. Cara is unafraid to declare her racist opinions about Sumaya, claiming that she is stealing the dole money that’s rightfully Cara’s, a white, British citizen.
It is written with subtle deft, that constantly drops small hints at Cara and Kelly’s differences. They are so intertwined, they’re two sides of the same coin, yet Kelly’s artful nods to her privilege and Cara’s lack of such privilege foreshadows the way their paths will diverge later in life.
The boldness of our characters, and their outlooks on life, perfectly encapsulates how much we think we understand in our youth, and how little we really do. All we know is netball, McBusted, and chip shop chips.
We could have benefitted from reaching the denouement of the piece a little sooner, as so much of the captivating interactions occur during and after this point. Our brief tangent into Cara’s brother’s arrest feels an unnecessary addition to her fully formed character; we don’t need more evidence of her hardship.
At points the whole thing gets a tad shouty; if so much sits at such a volume, it loses impact. In such a small space, fewer space-taking set pieces would also be an improvement, especially since they block off a couple of sightlines for the audience.
Cara and Kelly’s story is one worthy of your time, especially if you want to rock out to a few 2010s pop anthems. Just don’t forget to put it on your BBM status, yeah?
Recommended Drink: Vodka, the underage kind.
You can catch Cara and Kelly are Best Friends Forever For Life at Bunker Three at Pleasance Courtyard from Aug 8-17, 19-25 at 15:20. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Image Credit: Ché Deedigan
Jake Mace
Lamesha Ruddock
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