REVIEW: TEXT & DELETE devised by Ellie Gallimore and Kat Stidston, at Etcetera Theatre 9- 13 May 2023

‘These two beautifully sketched characters certainly deserve more airtime’ ★★★★

The title of this play is misleading because it sounds surface and frivolous. Actually, the story is about more than phones or social media; it covers modern dating, unlikely alliances, racism, social class, sibling loss, regret and forgiveness… in the setting of a flat share in Leytonstone. And they solve a decade-old crime. All in a fast-paced 60 minutes.

In Apt 48A, the two serendipitous flat sharers and, similarly to a pair in a flat at Baker Street, amateur sleuths Jess (Ellie Gallimore) and Maudie (Kat Stidston) start out in opposition. Mainly because they are so different in personality, but also because Maudie doesn’t actually pay rent there (she lives off of her boyfriend) the two don’t get along. Meanwhile, Jess is cleaning up after her and getting more frustrated by the day.

The set by Emma Ford beautifully articulates the characters’ dichotomy with clothes hung from lines above, the furniture (small sofa, dining table and chairs) filling the small space, while aspirational guides about nutrition or books by Michelle Obama and Dolly Alderton are displayed smartly.

Gallimore and Stidston also briefly play their respective mother and sister bringing a subtle, believable manner to their relatives' appearance on the scene. These visitations lead to the two cooperating to solve a crime that occurred years earlier. This, in turn, leads to a chase that ultimately leads to a sense of closure in its own way. The humour in the story ranges from jokes about laundry marked with bodily fluids to an hilarious scene with Jess going out to gather information from her date while Maudie radios into her ear to guide her conversation. Every line is a gem in that scene.

So much happens in a short time, and unbelievable coincidences keep this story afloat, but somehow, we can accept them because of the credibility of the acting. The story has much room to explore about Maudie’s life (only hinted at) and even could expand on the process of finding the answers Jess longed for, as well as her ultimate decision to ‘delete’. TEXT & DELETE is certainly not frivolous as I had first expected, despite being so much fun, but perhaps it does have more scope to dig under the surface. These two beautifully sketched characters certainly deserve more airtime.

Photography: Vinny Moli

TEXT & DELETE

Devised and performed by Ellie Gallimore, Kat Stidston

Directed by Lydia Sax

Produced by Jamie Rycroft

Set design by Emma Ford

Musical direction by Máth Roberts

Lighting and sound designer: Patrick Richards

Reviewed by Mariam Mathew