REVIEW: Sponsored by The Void, The Co-Conspirators, EdFringe 2025 ★★★

Devilishly witty and greatly entertaining, The Co-Conspirators arrive in Edinburgh with a charming, flashy debut in Sponsored by The Void. Billing itself as a psychosexual queer feminist horror comedy (try saying that three times in the mirror), there’s plenty to unpack in the dark concepts the company aim to explore.

Leah (Kelly Karcher) feels like her life seems to be falling apart around her – her smug and toxically masculine high-flyer boyfriend Kennedy (Jed Mathre) seems to care little for her interests in hosting well-renowned parties and soirees for her expansive group of friends. Meanwhile, something more appears to be blooming between Kennedy and Leah’s friend Mia (Ayo Tushinde), leaving her in the dark, or rather, staring into ‘The Void’.

It isn’t long before we leap into a magical realist world where Leah is confronted by a physical manifestation of aforementioned Void, played effortlessly, whimsically, and with wryly enchanting humour by Jennifer Ewing. The Void offers Leah an alternative to paying lip service to those who seem to care little for her, nor putting the effort into the things that she cares for – a rebellious, consuming desire to relinquish all control, wants, and reclaim agency by succumbing to beguiling embrace.

While this concept might seem quite abstract, there are clear mental health and gendered allusions within this metaphor of a feminine urge to fall into the abyss, willingly or otherwise. The script struggles to find deeper meaning within this nor attach it to an issue within society at large. This is both to its benefit and detriment, as while we connect with Leah’s bizarre and absurd connection to this animated incarnation of the abyss we all feel the urge to succumb to at some times in our life, we also don’t attach it to any prescient ideas or images in broader society, softening the show’s impact and leaving it instead relying on the humour involved as the overwhelming impression left by the show.

There could cause to say this felt more like an extended comedy sketch than a one act play, to that end. Thankfully there is enough within the core performers to give us sense that there is enough of a story arc to connect with. Karcher’s unsure and shaken Leah develops into a vengeful hedonist enamoured by the promises offered by Ewing’s void. Ewing provides a tour-de-force as The Void, every sardonic smile, slow head turn, and poised strut keeping you glued to her character every moment she’s on stage, announced each time by a pair of bejewelled black gloves opening the curtains in front of her.

The moments of queer interaction between Leah and The Void are done with a defiant and striking balance of tenderness, care and jubilant, stark sexuality. The whole team should be commended for how powerful a story moment it is when one of these moments reach their climax, which gives pathos to the relatively levity-injected ending.

Special mention goes to Be Russell’s performance as Val, the close friend and confidant of Leah who we soon learn has her own past with The Void. Her asides about the absurdity of the whole situation get a great laugh from the audience, but her performance is far from one note, and greatly nuanced in how she has made sure that this ‘comic relief’ character is given her own voice and space within the story.

With distinct and well-devised character comedy providing the thrust of the story, Sponsored By The Void doesn’t quite find its feet with a clear message or question for the audience to walk away with, but does provide fifty five minutes of thoroughly smart, quick, and stylish comedy-drama.

Recommended Drink: Pair this with a Black Russian cocktail – velvety darkness that packs a punch.

You can catch Sponsored by the Void until August 16th at Thistle Theatre at Greenside @ Riddles Court from 17:20 (55mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.