Helen Wells and Trish Bryce are Ripe Fruit.  Two older women trying to make sense of the world by exploring it through confessional storytelling and poetry.

Asking questions like: “How can you become Ziggy Stardust? What’s it like to have nits?” and “Can you really find a husband in Stringfellows?”

Discussing random topics such as getting haircuts (back combing like Helen Shapiro, a ‘Suzi Quattro’ or ‘Farah Fawcett’ look, the bowl haircuts given to them by their parents or the rebellious punk cut of the 70’s), to dealing with personal accounts of death and depression, to remembering the smell of Vosene shampoo!  There is something for everyone to be able to relate to on some level.

The interaction between them is good and listening to them reminisce and recall memories and emotions is entertaining, rather like listening to your favourite Aunts telling you stories from their youth. 

Whilst it’s hard to create an atmosphere online when your audience is not actually there in front of you, it does feel at times like it is just two people sat in front of a camera reading out loud.  It would be great to see this live onstage and see more of the connection between the two women, giving them more freedom to play out some of their experiences for younger generations to appreciate and a similar generation to relive.

Overall, an entertaining piece that had us giggling and tearful in equal measures.  Would love to hear more!

**** Four Stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin 

Husbands, Hair and Other Stories is available at Fringe Online.