What If They Ate The Baby?

I'm back again for another Xhloe and Natasha show! "What If They Ate The Baby?" is their second Fringe First Award winning show, and I was a little nervous coming to see it after seeing "And Then The Rodeo Burned Down".

When shows have the exact same creative team, you run the risk of seeing a show with the same tricks in a different package.

My fears couldn't have been further from the truth. The only thing that was the same in this show was that it starred two theatrical geniuses.

Whilst there were certainly a lot of movement elements in this piece, it was less clown/acrobatic and more absurd/physical theatre.

It is set in 1950s America with two housewives, both appearing prim and proper aside from the green splotches on their dresses. We know something is wrong immediately from their conversation, the knowedge that condolences are being given, the power struggle over a casserole dish, and that their conversation tip-toes around what has happened.

Every question feels like a trap, every answer like a step into a minefield. The audience are on the edge of their seat, waiting with anxious knots for someone to explode. But it never happens. Sure, they may get snappy, but the façade doesn't slip for long.

I'll be honest and say I have no idea what the play is about! I have a lot of ideas, but I am not certain about anything, and I absolutely LOVE that!

I haven't felt this excited about absurdism since I read "Waiting For Godot". I told Mrslovesthefringe, that I felt Xhloe and Natasha were the female Beckett's of the theatre world, but after some time reflecting on the play, I disagree with that statement.

They are not female Becketts. They are Motherf*cking Xhloe and Natasha!

But that absurdist mystery is what makes me giddy. The guess to what they did/are/have had happen to them, keeps my mind stirring. What if they were lovers, what if this was the aftermath of nuclear warfare, what if this is the Red Scare, what if... what if they ate the baby?

Xhloe and Natsha can be found performing at The Space in Niddry Street on a rotating timetable of three shows. A lot of their shows have already sold out as of me typing this review, so this is not one to sit and think about getting tickets to, get them whilst you can. If not, you may miss out on this wonderful show that I am delighted to award another Fantastic Fringe Award to!

Stay safe from the weather and have a fantastic fringe! 😁 

Love,

Tony x