2015BUMQ_ANJEliana and Ian meet and, with the staggering obviousness that falls upon only the most unashamed romantic comedies, fall in love after a few obstacles. Bump hangs on the communication between the two characters. Startlingly Netflix-esque, Bump is a happy exploration of the start of a new relationship that displays neat choreography and energetic acting but is trapped in its script that acts as an ode to the trite and completely overdone.

Ian, a 20 something in his prime who works at the esteemed PC World, meets Eliana, an undeniably gorgeous girl who ‘bumps’ into him on the highway ( Did you get the pun? Did you? The cast really hope you did). After a brilliantly organised scene under the bed sheets and a strangely macabre twist where Ian tries to force Eliana to keep the child that has suddenly appeared from their two week ‘relationship’, Eliana realizes that she would like nothing more than flee the abortion clinic and run into the arms, with child, of a man who she previously expressed mild interest in . Taking clear inspiration from the greats such as  ‘ Knocked Up’  and ‘ When Harry met Sally’ ( which isn’t actually that bad), Bump revels in the passion of only the truest of loves: short and corny. It is a shame that the obvious talent of Charles and Hollingworth is stuck in a piece which fails to display it.

The transition from comedy to tragedy is slightly uncomfortable, at times jarring. Whilst the movement of the performers is remarkably fluid, the sequencing of the piece is ineffective. Without sufficient time to digest the juxtaposition of emotions, the audience are left trying to reconcile Eliana’s accidental pregnancy when just a minute ago the two were bouncing with joviality: both are undermined and appear seemingly superficial. Although the piece displays moments of brilliant irony, they are often lost in the jumpy soundtrack. Bump, although sweet, reeks of stereotypes and, whilst humorous and energetic piece of theatre, leaves a lot to be desired.

Bump is playing from 21st – 31st August in Pleasance Dome, as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe. For more information, visit the Fringe website.