Casually devastating, the play Lights Out manoeuvres conversation from fruit salad to abuse to gender identity in a way that speaks wonders of writer Rae Webb. You will find yourself giggling at jokes about the juice at the bottom of fruit salad to the notion of “Uno reversing the patriarchy”.
The play, hosted by the Edinburgh student theatre company Paradok, takes place in an intimate archway of The Caves. Lights Out navigates the relatable relationship of two sisters, Rosie and Maeve. As Rosie helps Maeve to move into her new flat they unpack, both literally and physically, the intricacies of their relationship through apt metaphors and tense dialogue. Although their relationship is one of sisterhood, it reminded me all too well of tumultuous relationships with old friends who you can no longer fit into your new life. Lights Out touches on these devastatingly awkward asymmetries so well. The idea of knowing someone, their soul and core and yet not being able to understand or fit into their current life; the play illuminates the subtle power dynamics not only between two sisters but friends.
The play begins on an unassuming and slightly awkward note with a set of cardboard boxes and costumes of jeans and dungarees, but the simplicity of the plays backdrop allows for the wounding lack of simple communication between the sisters to shine through. A striking and impressive performance from Kimberly Devlin builds the tension and awkwardness which will eventually build to a climax I won’t spoil! Co-star Grace Lovejoy displays her insecurity at beginning a new life in her own flat with subtlety.
The lighting is clever, highlighting metaphorically the spaces in which we allow real and unfiltered conversations to happen, the liminal space of an empty flat in the dark allows the sisters to connect and the audience to question where their real and unfiltered conversations take place.
Despite dealing with heavy subject matter in places, the play remains light and highly watchable, it will leave you with a pleasant taste in your mouth and is particularly pertinent to university students.
Lights Out is running August 3rd and 4th at Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just the Fancy Room at 19:30. Tickets available here
Images provided to The Student by Lights Out