REVIEW: Sisyphean Quick Fix, Bettina Paris & Nicky Allpress, EdFringe 2024 ★★★☆☆

Two sisters are living apart, one based in London, the other based in Malta, their home. Dragging them back together is their father, who has a severe alcohol addiction. When Krista moves back to Malta, she and Pip are faced with a worsening situation, as they desperately try to find ways to save their Papa. 

Krista and Pip’s father will stop at nothing to fuel his debilitating addiction. Even as his liver fails, he still reaches for the whiskey, putting his daughters in an impossible position. As their lives are placed on hold, the two sisters are faced with the conflict of whether they can continue to love someone who hurts them. 

Bettina Paris’s characters are very well developed. Krista is the chaotic sister, teetering on the edge of falling into the same trap as her Papa. Conversely, Pip is seemingly put-together, with a high-flying job and faithful partner Max.

The similarities and differences between the sisters are wonderfully conveyed. Both deeply affected by their father’s situation, they successfully portray their varying reactions to the tragedy. It is a thoughtful acknowledgment of how addiction can affect people in unexpected ways.

Paris’ script is certifiably polished. Arguments between the sisters are crafted excellently as they riff off each other in such realistic fashion. Snappy dialogue is nuanced yet charged with emotion, hammering home the harsh realities of dealing with alcoholism. 

Whilst the writing is so strong, the direction lacks the same sublime energy that the script provides. The space may be small, however, there were areas left largely untouched. Much of the blocking felt centralised, meaning there was little variety in terms of stage pictures. 

This was not helped by the wooden blocks making up the majority of the show’s staging. Though it is clever to use them to store props used throughout the piece, they remained almost totally glued to one spot, restricting the flow of the actors’ movement.

Nonetheless, the story holds a lot of meaning, and is told so beautifully by Rizzo and Paris, our performers. The effects of addiction ricochet throughout all those we know and love, and Sisyphean Quick Fix is a sincere relaying of this truth. 

Recommended Drink: Whiskey.

Performances for Sisyphean Quick Fix have now concluded at EdFringe 2024.