FLIP!
Fuel Theatre's "FLIP!" at #Summerhall is a captivating exploration of influencer culture with notes of #BlackMirror-style speculative sci-fi. Directed by @emilyaboudetc & penned by @racheal_ofori, this razor-sharp satire has us twerking in our seats (whilst having an existential crisis about our looming social media-engineered dystopia)…
From the outset, the pre-show music has a postmodern #vibe. Remixing well-known jams & jingles, it reflects the bite-sized nature of online content. Like Louis Rembges (@mercibeauclou)’s #ChathamHouseRules, the play’s fast-paced form is a clever commentary on our fleeting attention spans & the nonstop influx of information we face daily...
The set design is giving #LowKeyTetris with grey & white geometric shapes dominating the stage. Meanwhile, various props provide pops of #HelloKitty pink; the subtly discordant style choice adding to the dystopian tone…
The story follows Carleen (@leahstluce) & Crystal (jadeodunjo_), friends seeking online fame. When Carleen's career unexpectedly skyrockets on #TikTok—oops, we mean, FLIP! 🙃— she grapples with the dilemma of selling her AI likeness to a corporate entity, blurring the line between her true self & her online persona🤖🙂...
The casting. Is. IT. St Luce & Odunjo command the space, seamlessly working as a comic duo whilst crafting fully rounded protagonists. Their physicality shines, transitioning from spot-on video game NPC impersonations to soulful moments of black female friendship...
Ofori’s whipsmart script offers a modern spin on the classic "A Star Is Born" and #RagsToRiches plot, with a focus on the pressures of #socialmedia stardom. It serves up wry humour alongside meaty ethical dilemmas & pairs smoothly with Aboud’s less-is-more directing style. But what truly distinguishes "FLIP!" is its commitment to authenticity. In a world where personas are carefully curated, these characters feel genuinely relatable...
In all, “FLIP!” is a standout show that seizes the zeitgeist & peers into the not-so-distant future. It beckons us to contemplate the deep implications of the social media & AI revolutions happening in tandem (can anyone else hear the #Jaws theme?🦈😬) 5/5⭐