The Divine Tales (Bright Lights & Dysentery)

121329 original

Actors Jess and Gem are best friends and flatmates, but their financial woes and a lack of professional success (they want to be famous actors) have put a strain on their friendship. With the help of a well-stocked dressing-up box, they take us on two simultaneous trips to each of their dream locations—LA and India respectively—as they try to escape each other and the problems of their London lives. Predictably, these problems seem to have snuck into their hand luggage, and the two of them are forced to do some soul searching to discover why their lives haven’t quite turned out as planned.

It is obvious to the audience that performers Jess Luisa Flynn and Gemma Stone have been good friends for a long time, and their treatment of Nick Bain's script reflects their relationship. Their sly quips at each other’s expense have the distinct whiff of in-jokes, and their perfect onstage timing betrays their comfort together.

While the story itself is lightweight and inconsequential, The Divine Tales is a well-pitched and compact parody of the plight of the all-too-recognisable jobless twenty-something. The fast pace of the physical comedy, effervescent humour and knowing winks makes this enthusiastic production a very enjoyable hour of frivolous, unconventional, and confident theatre.