Abbie Lowe
Scout decides to travel across the USA in an attempt to heal from an on-again off-again first love breakup. But when she picks up a stranger in a Starbucks car park, her road trip starts to change. To quote the show “This is a love story, I think?” Girlfriends is a one-woman comedic theatre piece with a sprinkle of cabaret magic.
I really enjoyed this trip of friendship and self-discovery. The concept is simple but one I always love to see. Packed to the brim with rom-com references (and no-so rom-com references like Breaking Bad?), and cracking jokes, Shakespeare, and Bob Dylan, you really root for our downtrodden hero in Scout (performed by playwright Sara Malinowski).
There were some stand-out moments like strong conversations about female pleasure and sex that may seem uncomfortable and taboo but are so important to be platformed. Squirming older patrons in the audience may disagree, but I thoroughly enjoyed Scout’s journey in her sex life, something that we so rarely see on stage.
Malinowski’s voice is incredible, as is her acting performance. I doubted the decision to include musical interludes and her singing to start with, but it was a choice I immediately understood and appreciated when I heard her voice. Gorgeous songs compliment moments of the script like heartbreak and, the best part of the show I think, her finally reaching the peak of pleasure! It was an amazing way to display it on stage, a genius idea from director Ash Malloy.
Unfortunately, I found the writing and structure of Girlfriends a little bit messy. I wanted to spend longer in each section of the city alongside Scout and Oliska, building that relationship more. They immediately went from a meal together to talking about orgasms and cigarettes and not learning anything deeper that would add to the murky waters around their relationship. There was no build up or yearning that I feel would add perfectly to this love/not love story.
It felt like it jumped around a bit too much in places, not quite flowing. There are lines floating that don’t always make sense. One threatens the other ‘you will never be a good mother’ when motherhood has basically never been discussed, so this didn’t have the intended impact for the audience. After, the girls have this lovely and heartfelt moment where they look out at the stars, discussing how they want to find themselves. Oliska talks about how the only thing she knows she is good at is sex, and so often this is what it feels like her character is reduced to. Scout talks about finding herself, and how she is finally forgetting about her relationship. It seems like a moment of change for both characters. But after that discussion we go back to Oliska as she has always been, and it feels like the scene basically didn’t happen. It didn’t seem to strongly impact either character, when it felt like this was meant to be a fantastic resolution and growth moment.
I struggled with the time jump to 10 years later, after a beautifully heartfelt moment as they crossed into California, singing their hearts out, happy to have made it. It felt like a natural end. Scout’s journey had been achieved: she completed the road trip, she could look at beautiful things without thinking of her ex, and she finally had an orgasm. The additional ‘in 10 years’ wrapped up a few things and presents the question of whether they were roommates or roommates but I actually found it a bit unnecessary.
I think a lot could be changed by the introduction of a second player. It is hard to have chemistry with yourself and I often didn’t feel the tension I believe the script wanted between our main characters. With someone to play Oliska she could feel like a deeper and more developed character. She could present the chemistry and free up Malinowski to embrace playing the narrator and telling her story. The presence of a second character could have changed the feeling of the stage and the blocking which sometimes felt repetitive. I think the piece is in the perfect place to be elevated to a two-hander.
With another performer, extra development time, and dramaturgy, I can see this piece easily being a 5 star. The concept is great, it just hasn’t quite hit the nail on the head yet.
Playwright and performer Sara Malinowski has made a great feel-good piece about finding and loving yourself. If you need a bit of hope, queer joy and a solid laugh, Girlfriends is a fit for you.
Recommended drink: A whiskey sour with lots of cherries, to cheers with Scout after her journey.
You can find Girlfriends at Greenside George Street from 7-15 August at 11.45, and 17-29 (not 23rd) at 1.45pm (60 mins). Tickets are available from the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Isobel Jacob
Hannah Hamilton
