1 TENT, 4 GIRLS - REVIEW - NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE STUDIO

Talkers & Doers’s 1 Tent, 4 Girls is a show that I hoped to catch at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, so I was excited to have the opportunity to watch the show during its short run at the New Wimbledon Theatre Studio. Co-directed and co-written by Amber Charlie Conroy and Rosalie Roger-Lacan, this is a light-hearted, comical, and quirky story of four girls facing the great outdoors on a camping trip to Wales. The show navigates the ever-changing politics of a girl’s group heightened in this tense environment.

The group consists of Sam (Ciara Hughes), Rosa (Alice Bebber), and Ruby (Bethan Owen) whose dynamics shift when Ruby’s new girlfriend Lily (Evie Cooper) joins the trip. There is a great connection and chemistry amongst the cast, as they bring to life these relatable, funny characters. The show is intensely relatable for anyone who has been a part of a girl’s friendship group, especially if you have been on a girl’s holiday gone wrong.

Roger-Lacan and Conroy’s writing is witty and humorous, and the performer’s style of delivery is often overdramatic and exaggerated which fits well with the girl group vibe. This show is satirical and self-aware. I really enjoyed the use of monologues in this piece, showcasing the humorous thought processes of the characters. Rosa’s monologue about being sleep-deprived is particularly hilarious and Bebber’s overall delivery of the character is brilliant. The ongoing clash and tensions between her and Lily are especially enjoyable. The characters Rosa and Lily are really strong, however Sam and Ruby feel slightly underdeveloped in comparison.

The costuming in this show is really intriguing, it adds an element of kookiness to the piece that pairs nicely with the performance style I mentioned earlier. The subtle integration of movement also elevated the piece; Conroy and Roger-Lacan’s choices with the staging and direction of the show are excellent.

1 Tent, 4 Girls is a great watch if you’re looking for light-hearted relief, all of the elements of the play come together to tell a funny and entertaining story. Whilst it does feel like there is still room for development in terms of the plot, I found this a really enjoyable watch that captures a specific sense of humour.

{🎟 AD: PR Invite – Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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