REVIEW: I Promise This Isn’t About You (Even If It Feels Like It Is) Melbourne Fringe Festival
- Natasha Dyson
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
An early twenties friendship group unravels in the bathroom of a house party. We’ve all been there. I Promise This Isn’t About You (Even If It Feels Like It Is) presented by Pigeon Pigeon for Melbourne Fringe provides a quick-witted and intelligent take on the dysfunction of being young and drunk and maybe in love.
Although this show fits a particular niche in terms of target audience (it’s me, I’m the target audience), I believe the Fringe environment provides the perfect platform to reach that crowd. Competing with the ambience of the Festival Hub at Trades Hall, the production is nestled in a reimagined carpark, complete with bathtub and toilet. While this would usually be a distracting combination, I found the laughter and general hubbub added to the authenticity of Max and Luce’s chaotic house party.
I Promise This Isn’t About You, as the title suggests, had no shortage of relatable material, played out by an extremely talented ensemble of young actors. I was thrilled to see a production stacked with genderqueer artists, cast in the roles they identify with regardless of gender expression. Leading by example, the show allows us to experience queer stories without sexuality or gender ever being the problem. LOUDER.
A highlight of Sarah Matthews’ script is the way language is weaponised by the characters, predominantly Luce (played by Reuby). It was fascinating observing the friends’ instincts to prove themselves by being the most intelligent or informed. Luce’s vicious vocabulary gave him the ability to manipulate arguments and gain status in a way I feel was scarily accurate of particular circles of young adults. Reuby handled some seriously verbose lines with ease, their nonchalance and comedic timing steering the tension of the group.
The ensemble had lovely chemistry, each member of the five finding the balance between the masks we put on for others at a party, and the vulnerability that looms in the moments we find ourselves with friends who see through them.
This play nailed the complex tide of insecurities harboured by people entering into adulthood, touching on everything from the glorification of being thin to the fear of being unlovable. I revelled in watching the characters’ intoxication gradually expose where their true intentions lay. I left the play wanting to know more about what happens next for these people (I love the drama), and concerned for the accuracy of miscommunication that so often defines our age bracket.
It is worth acknowledging that the specificity of this show’s content and language limits its accessibility to a wider audience. Although I had a romp stepping into acute observations of people of my own demographic, it’s not a show for the whole family. Unless you’ve got a really cool family.
I Promise This Isn’t About You’s season has almost completely sold out (twice? Thrice?) so don’t miss your opportunity to see this fresh and honest production. I look forward to future works from this team.
