Rejection, self-doubt, self-loathing, body image issues, more rejection, desperation, disappointment, drink.
Not the most promising ingredients for a life-affirming, heartfelt and hilarious evening at the theatre, but writer and performer Sadie Clarke absolutely nails it with her monologue Algorithms.
On the cusp of thirty, hopeless romantic Brooke has been casually, brutally dumped by her live-in lover Amira: “My five-year plan is totally fu**ed”.
Taking it badly, she resorts to a spot of binge eating, manic vinted-ing, and unwise drinking.
In the spirit of physician heal thyself, she decides to see if the dating app she is developing will work for her. She admits that she would prefer finding Mr or Miss Right (“I’m bisexual – one of the greedy ones.”) by serendipity, but, hey, needs must.
During a whirlwind fortnight of serial dating, she meets weirdos, psychos and no-nos.
She thinks she’s found the right one (who owns a wonderful silicon strap on, is considerate, and does good toast) but, in a second body blow, it comes to nought.
And all the way through her mother offers unsolicited advice and unwelcome introductions: “Mum, he’s a property developer and he wears RED Chinos! FFS”.
Algorithms has rightly been compared with a Millennial version of Fleabag and Bridget Jones (about to start shooting its fourth film.)
The audience was completely gripped by the ups and downs of Brooke and her love life, and peppered the evening with spontaneous 'ahhhhs' in all the right places.
As a man of a certain age, some of the cultural references were lost on me, but when photographs of Brooke’s lace pants-clad bum (and sporting various other accoutrements) appears on the web, it brings home the show's point - that even digital natives aren't always in control of tech or the algorithms.
There is not a single unnecessary line in this beautifully paced, thoughtful, well written monologue, sharply directed by Madelaine Moore.
Clarke is a confident, but vulnerable and charming presence. Do listen out for her thoughts on bad sex being like going to a deaf hairdresser. Book Now!
Algorithms runs at Park Theatre until 11 May https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/algorithms
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here