An A-Z Guide to Dating | Buttercup at Underbelly (Ed Fringe)

An A-Z Guide to Dating is a solo show written and performed by Grace O'Keefe and Directed by Erin Holland, inspired by her mother's own guide. O'Keefe embodies her mother in the show with a playful remark at "Grace" running late to the show, allowing Mother O'Keefe the spotlight to promote her book. O'Keefe, well known for her comedy and vibrant personality, transforms the very intimate and warm bunker (the joys of Fringe theatre), into a cocoon of laughter and joy.

O'Keefe leans into the absurdity of some of the tips in the guide, issuing a playful warning that the guide may "set feminism back about 20 years". The guide swings between being genuinely helpful issuing invaluable advice to navigate the ever confusing land of dating, and being so old fashioned that it feels almost more like a satire. O'Keefe embraces this and really commits with her caricature of her mother (who is super supportive of this show to relieve any concerns) with a riotous performance.

As O'Keefe painstakingly goes into detail of each alphabet, she often includes audience participation (front row beware!), encouraging them to enact the scenarios. O'Keefe is on fire during these sequences, bouncing off of the hesitant participants, transforming each moment into a laugh out loud moment. The guide naturally lends itself to comedy and O'Keefe dials it up all the way. Whether audience members book to learn or to laugh, O'Keefe delivers it all. O'Keefe, a musical theatre writer, includes a few musical numbers in the show, allowing her to zip through a good portion of the alphabet with a catchy tune that really does become an earworm.

The show falters only when O'Keefe leans a little too heavily on the running gag of "Grace" being late, making phone calls between mother and daughter that could have otherwise been spent on the actual guide. It's still a funny gag to return to, but feels more like a tongue in cheek comedy that would be better appreciated by people who know O'Keefe personally, as she shares a few childhood encounters. This does cause the show to slightly deviate from the advertised name, and leans into the more typical Fringe show (which is equally important and valued) about one's own experiences. It's a tricky tightrope to walk, and this show occasionally slips up.

That all being said, Grace O'Keefe is a truly fantastic performer, bringing a zestful enthusiasm that is rarely seen on stage with a brazen confidence that shines above all else. Talented as a composer, script writer and singer, O'Keefe becomes a triple threat in her own right. O'Keefe may have used the guide as the foundation of her show, clearly inheriting her mother's wit, but develops it into something that feels more alive and relevant; whilst developing a special bond with her audience.

An A-Z Guide to Dating plays at Buttercup at Underbelly at 17:15pm until 31st August -tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Ian Bowkett