The Outhouse Bar Loft room was part of the PHB Free Fringe. It’s not a typical Theatre space, it is exactly what Fringe Theatre is about. The writer, director and producer of this incredible piece of theatre is Isabel Songer.

University is meant to be a coming-of-age life-changing experience. Students learn to co-exist together, cook and gain new skills alongside getting their education. Alex struggles to fit in and changes universities, where she meets Bex.

Friends Alex and Bex decide they have had enough of sharing with others and move into Flat 4 together. They appeared to have found their perfect place where they can relax, binge-watch Bake Off, and make concoctions of various toasted sandwiches. No filling if off limits.

However, after a drunken night out everything changes for the worse. Bex is assaulted and needs Alex to be there. Unfortunately, Alex is drunk and with someone and doesn’t take the call for help seriously! Everything changes over night.

Alex has demons. Manifesting in an eating disorder and this toxic man plays on her insecurities and refers to her as “skinny” as a supposed term of affection. However, with what follows there is nothing affectionate about him.

Abuse isn’t one incident or one punch. It starts small, chips away at the victim’s confidence little at a time, one embarrassing scene after another, cheating and humiliating until the victim becomes normalised to it. Friends and family often pull away or are alienated by the perpetrator to gain overall control over their victim to do whatever whenever they choose.

It isn’t love, it isn’t normal and the victim could be anyone it isn’t personal. Abusers bounce from person to person repeating the behaviour pattern and leaving a trail of devastation behind them.

Alex knows what he is doing but is trapped for now. Flat 4 is no longer the tranquil space they shared it has become hostile and fractured.

This isn’t a “woe is me” play it’s an honest raw piece of theatre. Designed to shock, inform and highlight the deep psychological damage an eating disorder can do to someone. It’s not about simply skipping a meal, it’s the reason behind it and the pressure from the media and society that we all need to have the perfect body image!

Eating disorders isn’t a new concept, people have been under pressure for this for years. Many have lost their lives as a result or suffered like Alex as a consequence. When will the media and outside influences learn to stop!

Songer is a powerful narrator and has you captivated, appalled and angry on Alex’s behalf along the way. It’s a powerful play and sadly a story repeated too often. However, some friendships are stronger than they appear to be and with the right communication and understanding can come through the darkest of situations.

For more information about Flat 4 please use the link below.

Four Stars.

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/flat-4

https://edinburghfestival.datathistle.com/event/2700872-flat-4/19195-the-outhouse-edinburgh/

https://www.instagram.com/isabel.songer/?hl=en

Information about Help and support on Eating disorders and Domestic Abuse.

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

https://refuge.org.uk/what-is-domestic-abuse/the-facts/

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/domestic-abuse/

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/