★★★
Manchester’s Hedge Maze Theatre brings an emotional story about growing up in the noughties, parental separation and surviving messy friendships in the form of Disco 2000. Now, I know, it doesn’t sound like the most unique premise but don’t worry, because pop culture references to shows like Snog Marry Avoid and both actors’ energetic confrontations give this show the added sparkle that it needs—making up for its, at times, one-dimensional plot.
First of all, there is an awful lot to like throughout this 50 minute two-hander. Amelia and Bonnie, played by Stella Cohen and Arabella Finch, respectively, have a convincing rapport on stage from the get go. Both characters can be seen, at the beginning of the show, being playful and spirited with one another along to ‘About You Now’ by the Sugababes (this got me on side straight away), thus immersing you straight into their believable childhood friendship.
As children, Amelia and Bonnie were inseparable. We see them spending their days together bonding over their chaotic home-lives and distracting themselves with noughties trash TV. The references to shows such as Snog Marry Avoid, Don’t Tell the Bride and The Story of Tracey Beaker are be particularly endearing. Not only do they add to the concept of time and provide necessary context within the show but it makes the characters more relatable—we all had those trashy shows on satellite channels that we would obsess over and watch as kids with our friends.
They begin to drift apart when Amelia and her family move to Spain—resulting in them both losing touch. Years later, now living with her boyfriend in London, an adult Bonnie reconnects with Amelia on Instagram and invites her round for dinner. This is where it started to feel a bit like a 1990’s American Teen Soap and lost its sense of raw authenticity, lacking slightly in substance. In other words, I just wanted to get straight to the nitty gritty and see them reunite. Although, I must stress that both actors still do a great job in their confrontations with each other. The constant swapping between their adult and child selves was a clever, tactical move that saved the show from completely lagging at this point.
The soundtrack is solid too. It provides the perfect mix of nostalgia, fun with a bit of tension thrown in for good measure. However, based on the show’s name, I was expecting music to remain more central to the storytelling. Overall, the script is smart and sharp with both Cohen and Finch executing their delivery well with bags full of charisma.
Both actors use the space they are given creatively, in the sense that their placement and body language on stage always aligns well with the mood and tone to their dialogue. The dance routine to Madonna’s ‘Hung Up’ is a standout moment and actually quite moving—within the blink of an eye you are back in your primary school playground. The lighting and overall transitioning would lend itself wonderfully to a larger touring theatre venue.
So there is a lot to like about Disco 2000. Despite the storyline not being particularly standout and the staging being more suited to a larger venue, the characters, for the most part, remain relatable and both parts are played very well. Although, it has made me want to start binge watching old Snog Marry Avoid episodes on YouTube!
Disco 2000 will run until 9 August at the Thistle Theatre at Greenside @ Riddles Court.
Words by Cory Gourley
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