Writer: Abigail Burdess

Reviewer: Laura Stimpson

The Public Reviews Rating:

A welcome relief from the hearts and flowers on the run up to Valentine’s Day, Abigail Burdess’ new comedy, All The Single Ladies, tells the story of three woman who will probably be on their own this Valentine’s day.

Abigail Burdess is a writer, actor and comedian probably best known for writing BBC2s That Mitchell & Webb Look, All The Single Ladies is Burdess’ first full length play. A set of humorous intertwining monologues allows the audience to delve into the lives of the three characters, rich divorcee (Leslie Ash), widow (Brooke Kinsella) and eternal singleton (Tara Flynn).

Brooke Kinsella plays the part of a widow, who lost her military husband recently when he jumped out of a plane for fun. His ex-girlfriend sets up a blog in memory of him, and Brooke’s character spends months trying to work out what she should write on the blog as her last words about him. Most of it she deems inappropriate. This may seem like a strange circumstance to include in a comedy, however, Burdess’ clever script allows for comedy, without ever crossing the line of insensitivity. This character certainly has the funniest lines in the play, she says of her husband “I don’t know what’s worse, Mark being away or him being dead. I used to worry about him being dead – I don’t now!” Kinsella gives a sterling performance, her northern accent is excellent and she certainly attracts the most laughs.

Leslie Ash plays Liz, a 7 times divorced, sex obsessed snob. She tells of her previous relationships – there have been a lot! And talks of her relationship with Irish actor Gabriel Burn, but she is playing hard to get when she explains she can’t drop everything at the last minute just because he wants to pay for her fare to New York. Liz is at her best when she’s being a snob, on the subject of dogging she says “I don’t mind people watching me when I’m having sex, but not in a Toyota Yaris”. Liz’s monologue is definitely the least funny of the three, and loses momentum in parts.

Comedienne Tara Flynn is probably the least known star in the line-up, but her performance is excellent. She plays an eternal singleton who is obsessed with her flat mate Simon. She goes to the extent of setting up a fake profile on a dating website, just so she can get a glimpse of his. Thanks to her creations, Monica the half German nudist, Beatrice and Laxmi she comes to realise Simon is not the ideal man she thought he was.

The contrasting characters are interesting and amusing, Burdess’ script is up to date and most can identify with some aspect of the play. Who doesn’t hate it when married couples message each other on Facebook for all to see?

The functional set is an interior of a house broken up into three sections from where the woman tell their stories. The woman cross into each other’s space occasionally, likewise at times the monologues overlap.

A light hearted, well written and performed show which could prove the perfect option for an anti-valentines night out with the girls.

Runs until 15th February 2012 at City Varieties and then tours nationally

All The Single Ladies – City Varieties, Leeds, 1.0 out of 5 based on 5 ratings

Tags: Abigail Burdess, All The Single Ladies, Brooke Kinsella, City Varieties, Comedy, Leeds, Leslie Ash, Tara Flynn