★★
Sammy and Clyde are on their first date. Complete with oversharing, sweaty palms and cringey jokes, it could quite easily rank in the top ten of most awkward dates to ever occur. Luckily for them, they get the chance to repeat it over and over again until it is almost perfect: they are starring in a reality TV show, complete with a director who is never pleased. 100% My Type On Paper is an examination of how love is falsely presented on reality television.
Despite the interesting concept, the plotline feels fragmented. There’s a lot going on: a first date, the TV show, reflections on reality TV, and musings about if love is real, to name but a few. Clyde’s personality changes in the blink of an eye, and it is hard to grasp the timeframe of the show. The director makes reference to how much the public love Sammy and Clyde, yet the filming of their first date repeats. It is worth noting that the show started about ten minutes late but finished at the same time, so it’s entirely possible that this affected the quality of the performance.
The actors use the stage well, circling each other like animals before a fight when they are on their dates. This is fitting considering the show’s main theme is showing the cutthroat side of love. The venue also benefits the show, with the layout of the audience allowing the director to blend into the audience, and then jump out to give them corrections. More props could help the audience to follow the show, particularly in the later scenes, but the minimal staging is advantageous during the date scenes as it allows us to focus solely on the characters.
Ultimately, 100% My Type On Paper tries to do too much, and doesn’t quite hit the mark. There are some high points, including the acting from the director, who is so fiercely passionate it is quite scary. The concept is bursting with potential, and a tighter plotline would easily elevate it to a brilliant show.
100% My Type On Paper will be performed at C ARTS at 1:20pm until 25 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe 2024.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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