Time: 1.25pm
Venue: Paradise in Augustines, The Studio (Venue 152)
Running time: 70 minutes
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Reviewed by: Paige Kynoch
I cannot believe I have had two shows back-to-back involving eggs, but I cannot complain. 5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche is a kooky, entirely unique piece of theatre that fully grips and immerses you and, regardless of your gender, you become an honorary lesbian for 70 minutes.
As you step in the door to The Studio you are greeted by the lovely ladies of the Susan B. Anthony Society, fully in character, and are given a name badge; I became Rose for the afternoon but don’t worry, your identity will be returned to you at the end of the show. The show begins before it actually begins; the ladies mingle with the crowd, who are now officially Sisters of Gertrude Stein, and slowly involve you in their world before the lights go down.
Afraid of a Soviet attack, the Sisters gather in a community centre, featuring a strong metal door that would be seen in a Fallout shelter. From there they discuss the wonders of quiche, and worship the creation and founding of the egg like a God, that the egg equals everything great in life (and they are not terribly wrong), and the power of the quiche borders on orgasmic, with the first bite being a massive deal. But as the atomic sirens ring, the ladies’ first worry is not themselves, or the other sisters sitting in the room; it is the quiche, so imagine their horror when they start to imagine a world without the wonderfully eggy delight for four years, or possibly more!! Due to the threat of the Soviets, we watch this gaggle of Sisters spiral into despair as revelations and trauma unveil.
The 2024 NJACT Perry Award winner is housed in Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152) on George IV Bridge. The venue, while it doesn’t appear accessible from the outside, features a lift to take you down to The Studio, and ramps can be requested for the outside stairs, so plenty of access for wheelchairs or any other accessibility requirements. In terms of appeal, the crowd was a surprising mix of men and women, young and older, and with an age rating of 14+ you can attend with family and friends, but of course make sure they know what they are getting into! As for ticket price, you definitely get your £13.50 worth and, I would say, more; this show is truly unforgettable and is one that I would happily pay regular theatre price for.
If you are looking for a show that does not feature a lot of audience participation, then it is possibly not for you; however, do not let that lessen your interest, as if you are gestured to then you only have a few things to say or do (essentially a “smile and wave” type interaction). The participation is what really makes the show exceptional as even though the five ladies are incredible and are a hoot in themselves, the crowd work adds that cherry on the top and really rounds out the show.
5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche is quite possibly the most thrilling piece of theatre I have seen in a while, and all I can say is thank you lesbians (and Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood for your incredible writing) for involving me and hopefully hundreds of others in your annual quiche breakfast, and I will carry your motto with me: No Men, No Meat, All Manners.
Tickets:
5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche – Edinburgh Fringe tickets
