The social media craze gets even madder in this new comedy dealing with the dangers of online fame. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if its promising premise was actually a clickbait.
Pose, snap, edit, post. Pose, snap, edit, post. Like me, share me, use me, tell me I’m your… Oops, maybe that was too far gone? Hard-ly. (Sorry not sorry). To be honest, nothing has commercialized ourselves more savagely than social media. And the best part is that not only are we the ones that have let it happen, but in fact we’re the ones who have made it happen. The crave for instant fame and popularity has spiraled out of control so vividly, its harrowing effects are already leaving an imprint in our lives. We don’t mingle the way we used to. And the sparkle of reality has now been dimmed and replaced by the fake glimmer of a small, portable screen. We prefer to take a picture than to experience the moment. Because all that counts is what that little box can capture. All that stays out, is forgotten. And that can also mean even ourselves.
Laughter brings up the drama in Flip!, a new play at the Soho Theatre exploring the dangers of online networks and its dehumanizing power. Written by Rachael Ofori, the show tells the story of two best friends admittedly obsessed (just as everyone else) with the trendiest platform of the hour. Flip (a cunning spoof on the life-sucking hazard, Tiktok) is where everyone wants to (and must) be. You don’t have a profile, you’re no one. You keep making content, you can be huge. And what it comes to dreams, nothing else can top huge… Come on, that was a good one!
Developed as a parody on the Internet industry, cancel culture, society’s double standards and (logically, unavoidably and, above all, NECESSARILY) the world of influencers, the play excels at not taking sides, but instead giving us enough inputs to think, reevaluate and make up our own minds as viewers. Containing also some highly entertaining moments, the pacing is nonetheless its weakest point, as the meteoric career the lead has as an online celebrity (though as brief and sudden as the actual ones…) feels too rushed for a performance that only runs for barely an hour. In addition, despite its efforts to create different amusing situations, its humour (despite its entertaining farcical tone) doesn’t manage to land – leaving it to the cast’s skillful delivery to save the day.
Starring Leah St. Luce and Jadesola Ondujo, their performances are, without doubt, the highest point of the production – endowing not just their characters, but also the narrative, with freshness and outstandingly infectious stamina. Playing their parts with enduring rapport and versatility (especially Jadesola in her multiple, and much differentiated roles), their energetic portrayals manage to balance out a campy, slightly slapstick facade while keeping a more sober, realistic undertone all throughout. Yet, there’s just as much as the actors can do, as while the dialogues exude some drams of naturality, the plot itself (or at least, the way it’s crafted) feels a bit cliched and, overall, too predictable – all in all, not leaving us with much of a resolute, compelling conclusion.
Starting from an exciting idea, suitable and awfully relatable for today’s young (and not so young… yes, I’m talking about you, baby-ish) audiences, Flip! has laid a steady ground as for its premise, but still hasn’t found the right path to carry out its journey. A non-linear approach, with better devised time jumps, would probably help the rhythm flow more smoothly – while supplementing its writing with more wit and, perhaps, edgier gags could make the piece finally take off and, ultimately, stand out. But above all, don’t ignore the possibility of turning it into a musical. At the end of the day, it would be stimulating (and redeeming) to see some tiktokers (flip-floppers didn’t have the same ring…) who can actually dance.
All pictures credit to Tristam Kenton.
Flip! plays at London’s Soho Theatre until 25 November. Tickets are available on the following link.