2015DIVAS_PTDivas is a mind-boggling, time twisting love story that is cleverly scripted to leave you immensely confused. A backwards to forwards tale of two men’s love, Divas shows moments of brilliant acting, singing and choreography, but is sloppy in execution.

As the story unfolds, the immediate intensity of Adam is slightly jarring. Tension is imposed upon the audience from the outset. Later, Adam reveals himself excellently in the role of a man who is slightly neurotic in his arrogance. Immediately however, the juxtaposition between him and the relaxed Damien is jarring and difficult to digest. Damien in particular gives a patiently intense performance, his shame apparent, his love tender.

The class differences between the two characters lack complexity and are, at times, lightly insulting (“innit”). The script relays the story to its audience as if they are unaware, everything is presented entirely obviously and plastered with stereotypical directions – this man cultured, this man uncultured. The lack of nuance and character development undermines the clever plot twist of the piece, which leaves you reeling in its confusion.

The choreography of the three women, floating like ghosts and dripping with ethereal beauty, is neat and effective. Diamond studded, they have an odd place in the narration of the story. At times ghostly narrators, at others conspirators, their hybrid place in the plot development adds to the general lack of consistency. In one particularly sloppy moment, Damien changes his occupation from barman to barista, and the story is undermined, its details not strong enough to carry its general outline.

The chemistry between the two actors is fantastic, and the talent of the cast also apparent. Moments of the story reek of brilliance, and the demanding script is admirably  tackled. Divas is well acted and, at points, wonderfully thoughtful, raising questions of truth and communication in relationships, with a potentially clever class dimension thrown in. Overall however, it needs developing to reach  brilliance and its ‘it was all a dream’ style denouement is as confusing as its awkward flow.

Divas is playing at Pleasance Dome from 20 – 31 August, as part  of Edimburgh Festival Fringe. For more information, visit the Fringe website.