COVERING THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL SINCE 1996
Suspicious Minds (Tom Fowler and The Pleasance)

At first I was confused: why is a simple relationship drama being presented in radio play format, complete with foley artists? But when Mark books a romantic time-travel holiday (taking in Ancient Rome, Regency England and the Titanic) to salvage his dying relationship with Fran, things became clear. What follows is a wry blend of humour, pathos and emotional honesty, with a refreshing sci-fi twist. The characters are believably, recognisably flawed and the regular laughs keep things from getting too maudlin, without ever undermining the emotional heft of the performances. Eschewing clichés and obvious endings, ‘Suspicious Minds’ delivers a resolution that is fittingly satisfying, but not overly convenient or unrealistic.
Pleasance Dome, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Andy Leask]
