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★★★
‘Lost Girl’ is a one-person play written by and starring award-winning playwright Amy Lever, covering themes of family, heritage and growing up. It is currently being performed in the Underbelly Wee Coo at the Edinburgh Fringe, centring on the 19-year old Birdy who is at a roadblock in her life, looking to see if she is eligible for an EU passport so that she can easily travel and live a perceivably glamorous life on the road like her childhood friend Bex. The pair have been friends since they were very small, with Birdy at a loss now that her friend no longer wants to pursue acting and decided to travel instead.
Family and morals has been the foundation of the protagonist’s life for as long as she can remember, specifically her own family’s ties to Egypt and a life that her grandparents had to flee. Exploring Jewish-Arab heritage, the play sees Birdy reflect on her own childlike behaviour thus far, to the dismay of her Egyptian Grandad, who has been keeping a family secret hidden for many years.
Narrative and character development
‘Lost Girl’ is very much a play of two halves, with the first part of the narrative focusing on establishing the characters of Birdy, Bex and her grandfather. It is completely understandable to introduce the main character and her family in detail, but it is a little perplexing to see so much of the script focus on Bex, who other than being the source of Birdy’s inquest into her own background, has limited impact on the play.
The second half is far stronger and more impactful, highlighted through Amy’s restless portrayal of the 19-year old and her complex, but well-intentioned grandfather. The script could benefit from focusing less on the breakdown of the friendship and more on the reasons why the family are so hesitant to talk about the past and the impact that this has had on Birdy’s sense of self.
Lighting and set design
The main character goes on a journey of discovery throughout the play, looking to dreams and past memories in an attempt to understand why she is at a crossroads. The lighting design is incredibly ethereal, using varying hues to differentiate between the real and the imagined, keeping the overall visuals dynamic and engaging. This combined with the montage of old passports and photographs on the floor visualises the script’s ties to family history and culture, which are key underlying themes of the work.
Promise in the themes
There is a lot to admire about this thoughtful play reflecting on heritage and identity, but it initially lacks a clear focus or sense of purpose. Despite this, Amy has certainly explored some challenging topics in the script, none more significant than the impact of the past and family pressures on the identity of young people. You can catch ‘Lost Girl’ at Underbelly George Square – The Wee Coo until 26th August (not 12th), with tickets available via the festival website. Performances begin daily at 11:50.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘Lost Girl’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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