 BACHELOR GIRLS
August 13-17 - Greenside @ Riddles Theatre "War! What’s it good for? Lesbians, apparently!" If there were an award for best tagline at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, Bachelor Girls from the University of Bristol’s DramSoc would be a strong contender. This tragi-comedy delves into the lives of four queer women—Billie, Jude, V, and Claudia—during World War II as they bond over drinking games, card-playing, and romance in their English bomb shelter-turned-bachelor pad. However, just as their men are about to return home from mainland Europe, their newfound freedom faces a challenging test. In Bachelor Girls, the bomb shelter becomes more than just a refuge from the chaos of World War II--it’s a space where these queer women can truly be themselves. Away from the restrictive norms of the time, they find the freedom to explore their love and friendship in a way that wouldn’t be possible outside. The play beautifully captures this sense of liberation, showing how, amidst the turmoil of war, they create their own world where their relationships can flourish safely and openly. However, the looming return of the men in Bachelor Girls brings a palpable sense of anxiety, symbolising not just a literal invasion but a symbolic one as well. Billie’s reference to their return as an "invasion" underscores the profound threat to the safe space these women have carved out for themselves threatening to dismantle the world they've created. Brilliantly from playwrights Evanthe Gee and Connie James, the tension mirrors the war outside—a conflict between liberation and oppression—highlighting the internal and external battles queer women have long endured. The cast of Bachelor Girls—Honey Gawn-Hopkins, Claudia Osborne, Ava Zarate, and Lily Robinson—deliver standout performances that vividly bring to life the complex dynamics of years spent together in close quarters. They expertly convey the tension and love within the group, with every glance and gesture hinting at unspoken emotions simmering beneath the surface. Even as one couple sits by the radio discussing their uncertain future, another character silently reading in the corner can reveal just as much about the group’s fragile bond. Claudia Osborne, in particular, shines as Billie; her infectious energy breathes life into the room, but as she becomes consumed by anxiety over her man’s return from war, she threatens the entire group’s stability, making her performance electrifying and deeply affecting. Bachelor Girls is unquestionably one of the standout shows at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. In just 50 minutes, it delves into themes of love, identity, and the tension between freedom and conformity with impressive depth. With a sold-out crowd and a huge standing ovation on a wet Tuesday night, it’s clear that this play is already on the path to well-deserved success, and it’s easy to imagine Bachelor Girls making the leap to the big screen in the future and finding an even bigger and rapturous crowd. 5/5 Lee Hutchison |
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