In Tents and Purposes

In Tents and Purposes is the perfect example of an Edinburgh Fringe show: sparky, funny and performed with flair. It might not stick with you after the dust of August has settled, but it makes for an enjoyable hour away from the hubbub of a flyer-filled George Square.

In this postmodern mash-up of Sliding Doors and fourth wall-breaking comedy, Roxy Dunn and Alys Metcalf play two friends facing post-university life – after a dodgy fortune teller foresees success for one and failure for the other – as well as increasingly fractious versions of themselves between scenes. Halfway through, to a blast of Cher, time rewinds and their characters’ fates flip.

The script's meta-theatrical in-jokes about Brecht, props and the ‘creative process’ are throwaway fun, if not new ideas. But what it’s really in aid of – as the frustrations in the ‘real’ Dunn’s and Metcalf’s on-stage relationship mirror that of their characters – is an exploration of friendship. The autobiographical blur of these schisms is about the push and pull of changing lives.

Metcalf, whose CV includes The Play That Goes Wrong, is a joy to watch, initially bemused and increasingly rebellious as Dunn’s controlling manner rubs her up the wrong way. They bring an easy chemistry to their audience interactions, while sniping at each other over the props.

For all of its quickness, director Chris Head’s production still conforms to the rom-com tropes it affectionately references, wrapping everything up in a neatly heart-warming bow. But even if it lacks surprises, it’ll hug you close.