Flushed @ Underbelly Cowgate

This debut performance for Theatre Unlocked is nuanced and emotive, although the story fails to end with the same bang as it started with

Review by Clare Sinclair | 22 Aug 2018

Most women know that the ladies bathroom is where wonky make-up is corrected, bad dates are lamented and friendships are forged over the cries of “has anyone got any spare loo roll?”. Flushed is about all of this, and more – various bathrooms being the backdrop against which we see a snapshot into the lives of two sisters, Jen and Marnie.

They share a close bond, tested when older sister Marnie finds out she has premature ovarian sufficiency, likely to plummet her into early onset menopause. What follows is the struggle between the two as Jen tries to comfort and reassure her sister, and Marnie tries to come to terms with her new life.

Catherine Cranfield’s writing is witty and fast-paced with humour and realism at every turn, which is only enhanced by Theatre Unlocked’s portrayal. Natural dialogue is often overlooked on stage but Flushed has managed to capture the nuances of language perfectly. So much so that it's easy to forget we're not actually overhearing the sisters in a real bathroom. We laugh alongside them as they share dating horror stories and get drunk, and cry alongside Marnie when she receives the news that will change the path of her life forever. Whether you have plans to have children or not, the devastation Marnie feels – and the helplessness Jen has alongside her – is palpable. This debut performance for Theatre Unlocked is nuanced and emotive, although the story fails to end with the same bang as it started with. However, this is a minor distraction in an otherwise great performance.


Flushed, Underbelly Cowgate (Belly Laugh), 2-26 Aug (not 13), 3:40pm, £9-10

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