Fresh from a much anticipated run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Roleplay is a provocative solo show written and performed by Australia’s Hannah Reilly – whose musical The Deb is now available as a feature film.
Like its predecessor shows from producer Francesca Moody, Fleabag and Baby Reindeer, this play arrives on a wave of immense hype and a personal frankness.
Reilly plays Danni, who is pushing 30 and editing podcasts for men, while presenting her own sexy sideline, which uses the tagline “Hey, slut!”.
The tone is set right from Danni’s entrance, challenging us to pay attention. Her story is one of sex positivity on the surface while recognising that female empowerment can always be exploited for clicks.
The topics come thick and fast, with mixed success. A conversation with an American media mogul who sees women as commodities. A dungeon master who is insecure and faintly ridiculous. A mother whose career has always thrived in a man’s world.
Then there’s the caring boyfriend, who might not be the catch she thinks he is, who gets off on being a “dirty secret” and loves exhibitionism. Danni also buys into this “f*ck around” philosophy, even though slutfluencing is anything but easy money.
There is a lot to admire in Roleplay, notably Reilly’s performance, Paige Rattray’s committed and perceptive direction, David Fleischer’s set and costume design, and Lucy Baker-Swinburn’s sound design.
Where it feels weaker is in the light touch given to topics which could stand a lot more exploration. There’s the OnlyFans angle, the business exploitation, the coercive control, the drink and drugs culture, and Danni’s naive engagement with the darker aspects of sexuality.
In 70 minutes, to do these justice is a tall order. There’s also a mysterious other presence who watches and messages Danni, but the development of that character feels forced – is she a stalker, succubus, or shadow?
Roleplay leans into several contemporary concerns, including the image of women, provocative advertising, and the female gaze subverted under the pressure of the patriarchy. Where it doesn’t engage as strongly is through a nuanced look at sex work and non-vanilla preferences.
Danni is fame-hungry and doesn’t understand how to deal with it. Her attempt to engage in stripping is half-cooked; her approach to exploring issues around informed consent is gullible at best.
Roleplay is part of a trend to place female sexual exploration front and centre, but I felt that once you dug deeper, there was a certain predictability and a sense of the lost opportunity to really explore what it takes to be a modern woman with sexual freedom.
I’m giving this 3 stars.
Roleplay continues at Soho Theatre until 21 Nov.
Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic