EDINBURGH 2013 - BWW Reviews: BOYS, C Aquilla, August 13 2013

It's the end of the era and it seems like the end of the world is happening just outside the window. Ella Hickson's BOYS sees its characters facing that difficult time at the end of university. The world is at your feet...but what if you're not ready to grow up?

Benny (Will Merrick), Mack (Patrick Flemming) and Sophie (Ella McLoughlin Mitchell) are about to graduate; Cam (Alex Carden) is about to perform the biggest concert of his young life; Timp (Wesley Lineham) is high again, after mistaking an e for an aspirin.

With rubbish piling up inside the flat thanks to a refuse strike, the friends take the opportunity to deal with some trash of their own as they stand on The Edge of an uncertain future. Scores get settled and decisions get made as the young cast fill the small studio with bundles of energy and emotion. This is a thought-provoking play, supported with strong performances and dynamic direction from Rebecca Vines.

Despite the title, it's the girls who really stand out. Laura (Olivia Duffin) and Sophie's heart to heart during the closing stages is a fantastic piece of dialogue. The writing is sharp and cuts deep and the actors never overplay their hand. Lineham also impresses as Timp, a Peter Pan party boy, with a fondness for pink pants, unable to let go of his youth.

BOYS is showing to sell-out crowds at the Fringe. Given the reaction of the mainly teenage/early twenties audience it's not hard to understand why.

"BOYS" runs at 2100 until August 26th at C Aquila.

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