Tanya-Loretta Dee writer and performer in her solo play LOOP offers an insight into an obsessive personality. LOOP opens in a mythical forest, Dee takes on the persona of a deer being hunted by her prince and preparing to sacrifice herself for his every desire.
Bex is single and works in a birthday shop on minimum wage and is a master in balloon crafting. Especially snails. She lives with her long-term school friend who knows better than she knows herself. With her past stalking history, she is concerned about Bex’s behaviour after a chance meeting with James (and we soon understand why).
They first met when he came into the shop looking for a birthday card and would like to discuss “out of hours” how to make the balloon characters for his son’s birthday party.
Bex is instantly smitten and while getting ready for their first meeting/date/ not date whatever it is she is excited and is already planning their future together. What could possibly go wrong!
Dee plays each of the characters throughout the sixty-five-minute play with a natural storyteller’s ease and has the audience captivated at each twist and turn.
Mydd Pharo’s set design doubles as the mythical forest backdrop and the seedy hotel “date” in Slough. The cut-up mattress pieces made me cringe thinking about what could be living inside them.
LOOP is a fine example of the depth and high quality of work that can be found on the Fringe Theatre circuit. I can see this play having a future beyond the run at Theatre 503.
For more information about LOOP and future productions at Theatre 503 please use the link below.
Four Stars
Photo credit Zoë Birkbeck
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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