Review: Scenes With Girls by Miriam Battye

A fantastic cast and director stage a dynamic performance at the Alma Tavern Theatre

A very well deserved standing ovation met the end of Eightball Productions’ Scenes With Girls at the Alma Tavern Theatre.

Three outstanding performances from Phoebe Taylor, Hattie Millard and Iola King-Alleyne – along with taut and sympathetic direction from Emma Morgan – created an energetic and dynamic show.

There are 22 short scenes in Miriam Battye’s play Scenes With Girls. The arrival of each was punctuated with strong music and projected visuals. Interspersed with the scenes are several hooptedoodles. These explore the dynamic of the friendships through moments in time outside of the main narrative.

Tosh and Lou are friends in their early 20s living in a flat share. Both are attempting to break free from societal expectations surrounding women. The dull predictability of meeting someone, getting married and so forth.

Through each snappy scene, Miriam Battye’s locquacious text examines female friendship, sexual empowerment and identity. It’s witty and almost poetic in its graphic description of sex.

Lou revels in brief sexual encounters. Tosh in abstinence. At times the pair have a sense of liberation from the decisions they make. At other times, the relationship feels claustrophobic and suffocating.

Their vibe is shaken by the return of an old friend Fran, who is now about to get married.

Iola King-Alleyne’s Fran is a delight. Genuinely sweet and nice, she initially pretends not to notice their meanness bordering on contempt.

Phoebe Taylor (Tosh) and Hattie Millard (Lou) are an incredible force together. It’s an impeccable performance from the pair.

The set dressing had the mismatched and lived in boho feel of the noughties. A simple timber frame denoting the bathroom perfectly captured the Landlord Special. The types to be found outside of the crisp, white plasterboard of 2020s new build rentals.

Alas, Scenes With Girls was on for two nights only. If you missed it, it’s a shame because this was a good one.

After diving into the Bristol theatre scene under three short years ago, Eightball Productions are already showing they are a theatrical force to be reckoned with. A welcome fresh and fiery addition to the city’s cultural fabric.

For more information about Eightball Productions: https://linktr.ee/eightballproductions

Cast and Creatives
Tosh played by Phoebe Taylor
Lou played by Hattie Millard
Fran played by Iola King-Alleyne
Directed by Emma Morgan

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