Trashed by Harks and Sparks Theatre Company.

Flatmates Olivia and Ruth are best friends and love to party together. Trashed describes the state the girls tend to end up in after a good night out. However, with boyfriends Noah and Jackson in the picture life isn’t all partying, there’s a bit of grown-up adulting too.

Olivia and Jackson’s relationship centres around a physical connection, his conversations are boring and his coercive behaviour towards Olivia is becoming worse. Although the passive coercive undercurrents can be “jarring” at times. However, you need to be observant as they are at times subtle which reflects how abuse often is in the beginning of an abusive relationship.

Ruth and Noah are firmly entrenched in the church, well Noah certainly is and Ruth tries hard to please him. Noah doesn’t believe in sex before marriage, which adds frustration to the relationship. Ruth has the decision to make if she wants to finally have sex with Noah! I wasn’t aware that was still an opinion held anymore.

Olivia and Ruth are far from perfect though and often don’t see eye to eye on a few things, especially matters of the heart and each other’s choice of boyfriend. However, they do agree on one thing their relationship as friends, despite the challenges they both encounter.

The writing has a lot to offer, the scene changes at times aren’t always smooth although, with such a tight space behind the stage, it probably doesn’t help. The cast of four appears to be enjoying themselves and it’s a solid Edinburgh Fringe University student play that’s a good way to open your Fringe viewing for the day.

For more information about Trashed please visit the links below.

Three Stars

https://www.theskinny.co.uk/whats-on/edinburgh/theatre/trashed-2024