Issy Cory
Hannah’s relationship is put on the ropes when she finds out that her partner, known as ‘Hairy Man’, has been gambling away their money. After letting herself feel the trauma and pain of this realisation, she decides to tell her (and her partner’s) story. Cue, Gamble.
Using multimedia to depict classic online gambling games, Hannah ropes in her unwilling colleague Rosa to try out the platform. As Rosa’s attention is absorbed, Hannah begins telling a fairytale about a ‘blonde-haired skinny girl’ and ‘Hairy Man’, a boy with an infatuation for fruit machines. The couple’s joys of spending unexpected money on shopping and holidays quickly subsides, as Hannah discovers her partner has been lying to her.
It is unclear quite where Hannah’s role lies in this story. At first, she is a flamboyant game-show-host-type with a suit made of money (literally), assuring the audience that the forthcoming story has nothing to do with her. Then we discover that she is the girl in the fairytale she recounts, living a magical life before the facade comes crashing down. Then she is Hannah Walker, baring her soul on stage, offering Fringe support zoom groups for those affected by gambling addiction.
The scenes of recorded interviews with real-life gamblers and their loved ones are moving. The moments where Hannah finds out about her partner’s dishonesty are sincere. But these highlights are overshadowed by tonally obscure raps about John Lewis kitchenware and the use of a fairytale format that confuses the meaningful story at the core.
For a subject matter that is so personal and so connected with the lead actor herself, it feels frustrating that there is a collection of alienating sequences that deter from the narrative. The research is clearly there, and it is eye-opening to get an insight into how bad the situation of online gambling is. Yet the choice to communicate this through a lengthy recorded soundbite from NHS support worker Matt, whilst nothing takes place onstage, is a disappointing one.
The support for those who are affected by the production is extensive, however as a stand-alone piece of theatre, Gamble could do with a session or two to work out what exactly it’s trying to say.
Recommended Drink: Free drinks at the casino. Obvs.
You can catch Gamble at Summerhall – Cairns Lecture Theatre from Aug 9-11, 13-18, 20-26 at 16:30. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Phoebe Bakker
Jake Mace
