If you imagine all of the insecurities you’ve ever had about dating, body image, career progression and “am I in the right place in my life right now?” thought spirals then Algorithms is this – but funny…promise!
Brooke (Sadie Clarke) is our wonderfully endearing protagonist in this one-hander. A hopeless romantic brought up on Bridget Jones and Sleepless in Seattle, Brooke is determined to solve the algorithm to a “perfect” life – partner, dream job, house, kids – the things that make you happy…right? That all goes tits-up when her girlfriend breaks up with her out of the blue, she loses her job, and there’s a leak in her flat…all before her 30th birthday in four weeks time.
All of a sudden, Brooke’s plan is thrown out the window. Her mind thrives on maths, patterns and algorithms, but her life isn’t matching up to the one her mother imagined for her. Sadie comes across as such an earnest soul, which really helps the audience connect to Brooke’s plight – you can really relate to the highs and lows of her dating life; waiting for a text back, Facebook stalking, ghosting, and a lack of boundaries are all touched upon with a tone of humour (ft the odd Fleabag-esque cheeky glance to the audience).
One of the central themes of the piece is social media, with Brooke comparing her life to other’s who post only the good bits. Although a valid point to make, I do feel like this theme of ‘comparing your real life to someones’ airbrushed social media grid’ is over-done. The piece did however shed light on the importance of embracing your own future, whatever that may be – it doesn’t have to be the version you’re sold.
Algorithms is a Fleabag/Bridget Jones inspired love letter for millennials everywhere…you might not get the rom-com ending you imagined, but it might be so much better than that.
Tess Kennedy moved to London to be closer to her first love: theatre. It’s just a coincidence that she’s also now much closer to her second love, Idris Elba. During the week, Tess is a Social Media Manager, but in her spare time she enjoys reading, singing, yoga, pina coladas — although she can take or leave getting caught in the rain. Tess has been writing for Upper Circle since January 2019, where she’s seen more Fringe than Jonathan Van Ness, as well as plenty of one-woman-shows and musicals. Although she’s a big fan of the musical genre, Tess draws the line at Cats. That’s not because she’s a dog person though – Tess loves her family cats more than most humans – it’s because the visual of Idris Elba meowing in a skintight leotard gave her paws for thought.
