Review: VANILLA, Old Rep Theatre - Hysteria Festival

Dan and Katie are an ordinary couple living in an ordinary flat. They’re in their twenties, they’re focused on their careers, and every Friday night they used to go to the local pub for a drink, but now every Friday night is puzzle night.

They can’t remember when their sexual mo-jo disappeared or where it went. What they do know is they have to get it back, but how far are they willing to go? 

It’s an honest look at how relationships can change in a short space of time, particularly when you’re in isolation, and the repercussions of wanting something too much or not enough. 

Laura Mead’s writing is sarcastic and dry humoured, but comes with a heartfelt ‘screw this’ attitude. With the realisation that the worst has actually happened, and the power that gives to the person on the receiving end when they actually don’t care anymore. Their sanity and self-respect means much more to them than this situation and that means everything.

Mead appears as Katie, with Ned Wakeley as Dan. She’s a strong lead and a pleasure to watch. Her interaction with the other cast members is natural and it’s clear what their relationships are and when they change. As an audience member, we can easily put ourselves in her place.

It’s a fun production, with a possibly awkward subject matter for some, but the audience can soon relax as the awkwardness stays with the characters on the stage; we simply need to observe to see the ridiculousness of the situation and just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, it does!

Frank, funny and certainly not just plain vanilla.

 **** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin