The Unmarried @ The Underbelly (Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017) Review

We find ourselves living in a time whereby expectations of marriage and settling down have shifted. The age and pace in which these rites of passage are expected to occur have been pushed back at least a decade. Relationship-wise, it’s becoming socially acceptable to be a young female and single, and this is a right that Lauren Gauge explores in her unapologetically defiant one woman show, The Unmarried.IMG_1642

Part spoken word, part live Garage playlist, The Unmarried unashamedly chronicles the sexual escapades of a 20 something female on the pursuit of contentment, The Unmarried grabs the audience by the collar and demands for all to listen, shifting from one night stands to Gauge’s attempt at building the foundations of an archetypal relationship; buying house, getting married and having kids. These shifts present an authenticity that has the audience listening to Gauge’s every word.

Written in poetic verse, Gauge establishes a rhythm and language of her own; this is her world and the audience are there to listen as she presents to us the realities of sustaining a relationship. Accompanied by beatboxer Hadyn-Sky Bauzon and singer Georgia Bliss the two comically depict Gauge’s anecdotes, from adventurous one night stands to Gauge moving in to her new home. They underscore the evening with well known Garage classics relating to the text, a fun convention that only adds to the evening’s care free vibe.

The production beams with confidence, a spearhead in the movement of sexual liberation it encapsulates a liberal attitude definitive of our times. Love, lust and hate all share a very fine line and these themes present themselves as the complicated emotions that they are. The Unmarried is bold, gregarious and a great way to start a night out! 4/5

Review written by Lucy Basaba.

The Unmarried was shown at the Underbelly from Friday 4th Until Monday 28th August 2017 as part of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. For more information on the production, visit here…

Written by Theatrefullstop