Written, directed and performed by Clare Titelman, a mildly successful television star in America, she has come to the Fringe with her critically acclaimed dark tale, Lemons are for emergencies only.
The title is a little odd but not nearly as odd as the production, which is a one woman play were she sits in front of a lemon, dressed in a pink dress, surrounded by turkey breasts and devilled eggs. Delivered in a wide eyed, unique manner, she keeps the show zipping along at a hundred miles an hour. Discussing her love for birthday parties and how after a childhood birthday party that ends in a horrific tragedy she won’t allow herself to feel anything again. To go into any more details about the plot would spoil it. But the truth about why lemons are for emergencies is surprisingly tender and moving.
Humorous moments are peppered throughout but it never quite manages to define itself in any genre, instead coming across as a twisted and slightly sinister tale that has several of the audience members racing for the door.
Too out there for its own good, this fascinating but difficult to love production s feels brief at forty minutes but for many of the audience members it seems it can’t end quickly enough.
2/5
Martin Miller
