Emma-Louise Howell, an award-winning writer and BBC Writers Room Finalist, created I Really Do Think This Will Change Your Life as part of the 2021 Mercury’s playwriting programme. The play, directed by Hetty Hodgson (Associate ThickSkin’s Peak Stuff), is now playing at the Edinburgh Fringe.

We find Belle, a troublesome 24-year-old, in serious debt after being fired during a princess party gone wrong. Now she needs cash… quick. When an opportunity enters the chat looking for new recruits, could this be the chance Belle needs to reshape her life and become a #GirlBoss?

The story itself is original, building awareness around the toxic nature of pyramid schemes (or multi-level marketing, as they are also known). Emma-Louise Howell, who plays Belle, does well with her characterisation in the piece. In her portrayal, Howell successfully captures Belle’s sarcastic hilarity, which frequently evolves into a chaotic, unhinged energy. Howell moves between different accents and voices to represent the supporting characters involved, creating moments of clever comedy. However, be warned, it’s challenging to keep up with the show’s fast pace. Howell rapidly manoeuvres through the text, causing a great deal of confusion towards some plot points, with a slightly abrupt ending. Perhaps extra performance time will offer the piece the breathing space it needs and enable pacing throughout to improve. It feels like a mad rush to fit everything into an hour.

One aspect to be commended is the use of visual aids. The show features several digital panels which provide a bold and immersive video element designed by Matt Powell. It is a smart and effective way of making the show accessible through including emojis, captions, pictures and videos.

I Really Do Think This Will Change Your Life is enjoyable and certainly something different for audiences. The show holds a lot of promise for future development and is inspiring to others through its forms of accessibility.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Catriona Lamb

I Really Do Think This Will Change Your Life plays at Pleasance Dome until 26 Aug, with further info here.