When I was taught creative writing at University we were told to write about “what you know”. These words echoed as the play Stealing Stories began and conversations started about who was allowed to write whose story authentically, without repercussions.

Robbie (cis straight male) wants to write about a book with a queer theme and contains liaisons between two gay man, which Robbie has no experience of. He calls upon his longstanding friend Gavin (cis gay man) to help him write those parts as he has experience of these.

However, as the book gathers momentum and is about to be published Gavin is furious not to be credited as he had helped write a large proportion of the “juicy” parts.

Gavin’s friend Mel (who is a lesbian) is a playwright and they discuss the situation over a drink. As Gavin pours his heart out Mel sees a new opportunity. The plot twists and turns throughout the performance although it’s an easy plot line to follow.

The question the audience is left wondering is, Who writes original stories about their own lives without slight embellishments or the help of other’s experience? And more importantly, does it matter if it’s a good story?

Stealing Stories isn’t groundbreaking comedy/drama. It’s solid entertainment that can make you laugh at times, as the audience often did. The characters had a way of connecting with the audience that would allow them to break the wall momentarily when two of the cast joined the audience during a book signing.

It’s a perfect fringe theatre production, which offers exactly what they advertise,  a play about Stealing Stories.

For more information about Stealing Stories at The Prague Fringe please use the link below.

Three Stars.

https://www.praguefringe.com/

https://www.actingoutgroup.com/

A sharp comedy which will make you reflect on who you’d let tell your own story!