Paldem @ Summerhall

David Jonsson, winner of the 2025 BAFTA Rising Star Award, turns his talent to writing as his debut play, Paldem, graces Summerhall this August. Long-term friends and exes, Megan (Natasha Cowley) and Kevin (Michael Workéyè) reach for each other in a moment of weakness after a friend’s wedding, unaware the camera is still rolling. Deciding to upload their unintentional collaboration to OnlyFans, the two try their hands at the murky world of online sex work.

Paldem explores nuances within interracial relationships, fetishisation and power. Kevin is quick to point out the range of categories they can list themselves under for the most views (#Ebony, #BBC, #interracial), but also that allyship is a skin Meg can shed and once her time dating a Black man runs out. Here, Jonsson picks an interesting topic to tackle, yet sadly fails to explore this fully. There is either too much or too little context given to Meg and Kevin’s interactions, and many of the facets of intersectionality woven into interracial dating and online sex work are skipped over. There are moments of good writing, yet too often these are swallowed by the pace of dialogue and injections of romcom humour. 

Jonsson does a good job at showcasing how the insertion of digital media into our private lives both preserves and destroys moments of intimacy. However, he fails to address difference in the ramifications of selling sex online for Meg versus Kevin. The timeline of their story feels rushed and underexplored. Similarly, Kevin’s own sexual preferences towards Asian women (an Orientalist screensaver and a couple of throwaway comments) are skimmed over. 

Cowley’s performance as Meg stands out, as she brings life and vitality to an underwritten role. Paldem is an interesting attempt to explore the burgeoning world of online sex and the effect it has on its vendors. It contains sparks of a good play which sadly never reaches its climax.

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Paldem, Summerhall (Tech Cube 0), until 25 Aug, 9pm, £10-17