Those People Review: Queer Female Friendship Explored

The Edinburgh Fringe show "Those People," featuring performers Lara Ciulli and Riana White, offers a compelling exploration of queer female friendship, blending sketch comedy, dance, and confessional elements. The duo maintains an ambiguous relationship dynamic, leaving the audience to question whether they are best friends, housemates, or romantically involved. This ambiguity fuels the performance, as they expose their intimacy, codependency, mutual resentment, and uninhibited humor on stage. The show's narrative delves into the complexities of their relationships, both past and present, using physical comedy and sharp dialogue to convey emotional depth. A significant portion of the performance involves intricate physical interactions, with Ciulli and White frequently entwined, symbolizing their intertwined lives and emotional reliance on one another. The show opens with a mime depicting a car crash into a lake, with one character rescuing the other, establishing a recurring theme of mutual salvation amidst personal crises. Throughout the hour-long performance, the audience is presented with vignettes from their past relationships, highlighting moments of conflict and vulnerability. One anecdote involves a partner who insisted on showing Ciulli his preferred pornography, while another recounts an ex-partner's refusal to return White's Calvin Klein underwear. This latter scenario escalates into a surreal "underwear fever dream" sequence, culminating in a notable breakdance performance by Ciulli, performed naked. The dialogue within the show directly addresses the characters' interpersonal tensions, with White protesting Ciulli's perceived selfishness and Ciulli retorting with accusations of insecurity. This meta-theatrical element underscores the raw and unfiltered nature of their interactions, both within the fictional narrative and in their dynamic as performers. The show's strength lies in its ability to refract the nuances of queer female friendship through various performance styles, creating a gripping and slippery portrayal of their bond. The Guardian's review notes that the show evokes a similar thrill to the 2011 duo "Toby" by Lizzie and Sarah Daykin, which similarly complicated the double-act dynamic with charged sibling rivalry. "Those People" reframes this complexity within the context of queer female friendship, showcasing a powerful and unfiltered connection between Ciulli and White. The performance is set at the Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh, a venue known for hosting innovative and engaging theatrical productions during the annual Fringe festival. The show's title, "Those People," further adds to the intrigue, suggesting a shared identity or experience that sets them apart, while also hinting at the external judgments or perceptions they might face. The review emphasizes the "raw passion and no filter" evident in their performance, suggesting a bold and authentic representation of their characters' relationship.