BELINDA – REVIEW – VAULT FESTIVAL

Rose and Ruby are flatmates, we watch them hanging out, reading tarot cards, discussing queer imposter syndrome, and their disappointment at queer spaces across the city closing – a lack of places they can express themselves within and feel safe doing so.

Behind the two is a white sheet with Ruby Ingleheart’s oil designs projected onto them, while these are visually stunning, I was not entirely sure of the relevance to what was occurring on stage.

Music plays throughout the show, until a stop halfway through, where the tone of the performance shifts. The fourth wall is broken, and the remaining run time is without a soundtrack, which ensures the audience listens intently to every word the two speak.

Amy-Rose Edlyn and Emilia Nurkhamatova’s writing is of variable success, whilst there are some funny lines incorporated, the first half of the show is convoluted with metaphorical lines, resulting in a rather confused plot, difficult for the audience to follow along with. Although I appreciate a metaphor, making the show this complex, with such a short run time results in a slightly incoherent show.

Edlyn and Nurkamatova’s performances, however, are great, both create genuine, authentic characters. The topics the show raises are of the utmost importance and absolutely warrant discussion, unfortunately, this wasn’t executed in the best way. I would love to see them dig deeper into queer imposter syndrome, something so many of us can relate to – but currently, the show has a rather scrappy, confused feel to it, which leaves the audience with more questions than answers.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

SAVE THE VAULT FESTIVAL

VAULT Festival has been left without a venue for 2024’s festival and beyond
• VAULT Festival have launched a #SaveVAULT campaign
• The campaign aims are to raise £150,000 by 19th March to support the festival’s survival AND to secure a new home for the festival to continue.
• You can help by donating, helping access funding networks, and helping then find a venue.
• You are officially implored to make the most of 2023’s Festival while it lasts!

{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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