 and Atlanta (Katrina Allen) who have very differing views on motherhood.){kind=link}
Content warning: abortion
★★★★
Written by Amelia Rodger, Jumper Bumps follows best friends Eris (Rodger) and Atlanta (Katrina Allen) who have very differing views on motherhood. Eris is desperate to be a mum, putting jumpers up her shirts to pretend she’s pregnant. She runs baby names past Atlanta (Doris is vetoed almost immediately), and dreams of having a little human who’s completely reliant on her. Atlanta, on the other hand, can’t think of anything worse. She wants to be a lawyer and is happy with casual relationships rather than long term commitment. When Eris gets into an emotionally abusive relationship and subsequently becomes pregnant, it threatens to tear their friendship apart.
Both actors have great chemistry, making the silly, playful energy between the two friends seem natural. Rodger portrays Eris with a good mix of ditziness and relatability, ensuring she stays likeable. Allen brings an innate charm and confidence to her role, without straying into cockiness. She is very witty, and lots of her lines are funnier than the audience gives her credit for.
Hearing Eris talk about her ex over and over (and over) again does get repetitive, but that’s the nature of heartbreak: we often need to discuss it to death. We all need a friend like Atlanta in our lives, who listens patiently and gives considerate, sound advice, and it’s touching to see this portrayed on stage.
Plays tackling the issues that young women are facing are so important. Jumper Bumps handles abortion sensitively, showing two differing viewpoints on the topic. Eris is unknowledgeable and struggles with guilt afterwards. Considering her desperation to be a mum, it may seem surprising she chooses an abortion, but this demonstrates that we never know what we would do unless we are in that situation ourselves. Atlanta has more knowledge of the reproductive system, but she is still unsure about the whole process of getting an abortion, which highlights the gaps in our education system. There is no judgement from her when Eris reveals her pregnancy, only worry for her wellbeing and concern she is being coerced into having one.
Rodger’s script is raw and emotive, perfectly capturing modern issues facing twenty-somethings and creating thought-provoking debates around motherhood and feminism. She is certainly one to watch in the future.
Jumper Bumps will be performed at Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower – Ruby until 24 August (not 19) as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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