West End Best Friend

View Original

Fringe review: THE THINGS I DID WHILE WAITING FOR YOU TO FALL BACK IN LOVE WITH ME, Greenside @ Riddles Court

The Things I Did While Waiting for You to Fall Back in Love With Me, a one-woman dark comedy by Sarah Hogewood, offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery. The show follows a lesbian woman in New York who, after being broken up with by her girlfriend, clings to small signs—like a toothbrush left behind or a freshly washed towel—that their relationship might still be salvagable.

Hogewood takes us on a journey through denial and self-acceptance, as her character grapples with what worked in the relationship and what didn’t. Despite tackling deeper issues like misconceptions in queer dating, the struggles of coming out, and even moments of suicidal thoughts, the tone remains hopeful and cheery throughout, making for a bittersweet but ultimately uplifting experience.

The narrative is a bit chaotic, much like the character herself, as she jumps through time and shifts between personas. While this energy adds a certain charm to the performance, it also makes the story feel somewhat scattered. Still, the character is endearing, and it's hard not to root for her as she navigates the complexities of finding herself.

With a bit more external direction to tighten the structure and a focus on refining the character's finer details, this show could be sharper and easier to follow. As it stands, The Things I Did While Waiting for You to Fall Back in Love with Me is a charming, if somewhat chaotic, exploration of heartbreak and self-discovery.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Beatriz Do O