Rom Com Con

Lizzie Mace and Juliette Burton may have struggled through the wilderness of singlehood, or endured the shock of being suddenly single again after years in a partnership, notching up more successive heartaches and disappointments than you’d wish on a sworn enemy – but they’ve never given up, nor have they lost their humour or high spirits. Now, their pain is our gain. Not to imply that this reviewer is sadistic, because Rom Com Con is an utter delight; endearing, playful, poignant, funny, wise, wonderful!

Part of the reason this show starts off on just the right foot – and stays there – is that the two women (even before the audience is inside the theatre) seem so genuine and thrilled to be there. Whatever percentage of Mace and Burton’s odyssey is the truth (they both swear it all happened), it matters little when the journey is so enjoyable and engaging for an audience.

Rom Com Con gets most of its vitality from our seemingly inexhaustible and relentlessly appealing hosts, narrating their inventive attempts to put the storylines and devices of romantic comedies under the microscope (and to the test), but they utilize multimedia in ways that are essential yet unobtrusive, amusing yet unexpectedly touching.

Never so deep as to become too heavy, never so light as to become too fluffy, Rom Com Con is just about the perfect blend, and a rarity at the Fringe: a personal show that takes you on a journey yet avoids indulgence and always entertains.

Anthony Vawser

Read our preview of Rom Com Con