Eve Miller
Content Warning: Discussion of sexual violence and victim blaming.
FLUSH takes place entirely in the women’s bathroom of a club, following different groups of women at different ages over the course of a night out. In turns funny, heartbreaking, and rage-inducing, FLUSH explores everything from beauty standards, underage drinking, sexuality exploration, and awful hen-parties, to the patriarchy and rape culture.
The script is generally fantastic, written by April Miller who has a strong comedic voice and a talent for capturing the essence of different groups of people. Merle Wheldon directs with vision and sensitivity, bringing the buzzy script to life tightly and effectively. The script is constructed of vignettes of underage teens on their first night out, girls in their early twenties making new friends and figuring out their sexuality, and a raucous hen party in their 30s that begin as comic relief but become beacons of hope, guiding the younger girls.
Each group’s costumes are neatly colour coded to help the audience keep track of which characters are being portrayed by the talented actors as they switch roles throughout. The only constant is Billie, portrayed with grit by Jazz Jenkins, who is assaulted by her manager on a work night out. She is helped by each group of girls, except the teens, in the most startling moment of the play, which does not necessarily hit the mark the way it intends to as Billie loses control and projects her internal victim blaming onto them. Despite this moment, the play is clearly well intentioned, and the overall message of supporting victims is upheld by the final moments of the play.
FLUSH doesn’t necessarily cover new ground, or push the envelope in terms of activism, but it doesn’t need to. It makes its feminist stance clear, both narratively and technically, with the bathroom stalls emblazoned with messages such as “Protect the dolls”, “ACAB”, “BLM” and “fuck the Tories”, as well as affecting tangible change by partnering with Ask for Angela to raise money and awareness for the nationwide safety scheme. Most crucially, this production speaks to the heart of an issue that personally affects many of us, providing a palpable catharsis to the audience.
Laugh-out-loud funny, heartfelt, and sincere, FLUSH is an ode to the holiness of the women’s bathroom and the importance of sisterhood.
Recommended Drink: Smirnoff ice.
You can catch FLUSH at Upstairs at Pleasance Courtyard from 30th July to 25th August (not at 11th and 18th) at 12:15 (60 mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake Mace
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
