Jake Mace
Disappearing Grindr profiles, strobing neon lights, awkward barber visits, tender dates. Conor O’Cuinn’s Looking for fun? is a one-person piece following the eponymous character Looking4fun down dating app rabbit holes, nights out in Queer nightclubs, meeting strangers for the sensation of intimacy, and exploring a seemingly inherent sense of shame and isolation within that sensation.
We caught up with Conor for a pixelated pint ahead of the show’s run at Theatre503 later this month. Join us both here at the Binge Fringe Virtual Pub as we traverse topics ranging from Tennessee Williams to instant gratification, and Grindr notifications to Mezcal Margaritas.
You can catch Looking for fun? at Theatre503, Battersea, from the 22nd-24th January at 19:30 (65min). Tickets are available via the Venue’s Online Box Office.
Jake: Hi Conor, Looking for fun? explores the worlds of online hookups, queer identity, and the pursuit of connection in an age of instant gratification – that’s plenty to fit into 65 minutes! Tell us what inspired you to write the story.
Conor: ‘I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.’ That famous line from A Streetcar Named Desire captures the yearning for empathy, intimacy, and connection that lies at the heart of Looking for fun? In many ways, my protagonist, looking4fun, is a modern-day Blanche Du Bois—a sensitive, feeling person searching for authenticity in a digital world they aren’t equipped to navigate.
Writing this play, I felt both inspired by and haunted by Streetcar. Its themes of desire, shame, and connection echo throughout my work, as does the spirit of Tennessee Williams—his queerness, his struggles, his sense of isolation. But Looking for fun? is also about the ghosts of the digital world; the fleeting, surreal nature of Grindr hook-ups and how the search for connection online can be both fantastical and devastating.
With this play, I hope to explore a lineage of queer souls, past and present, and how we navigate intimacy in an age of instant gratification, where even connection can feel like a transaction as our deepest personal interactions are commodified.
Jake: You use monologues, audience interaction, and moments of vulnerability to compliment the strobing neon lights of Queer Clubs and the pulsating glow of Grindr notifications – tell us about the design of the show and what the audience might expect to feel, hear, and see.
Conor: The design of Looking for fun? mirrors the emotional highs and lows of queer club culture and digital interactions. The pulsating lights and sounds of club nights blend with the intimate, often fragmented world of online hook-ups, creating a kaleidoscope of sensations. Through monologues and direct audience interaction, we break down barriers, inviting the audience to share the protagonist’s journey as though they’re living it themselves. You’ll feel the intensity of the nightclub, the quiet ache of solitude, and the surreal detachment of the digital world. It’s a sensory exploration, oscillating between humour and heartbreak, that we hope leaves audiences reflecting on the beauty and challenges of connection.
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
Conor: At its heart, Looking for fun? is about the universal desire for connection and belonging. I hope audiences leave with a sense of shared humanity, understanding that beneath the humour and the Grindr pings lies a deep vulnerability we all experience. Whether or not they relate to queer hook-up culture, the play speaks to anyone who’s ever felt lost in their search for intimacy. It’s about peeling away the masks we wear to fit in and confronting the raw, messy parts of ourselves. If nothing else, I hope it inspires conversations about how we navigate love and loneliness in a world that’s increasingly disconnected.
Jake: Tell us about your relationship with the cast and crew of the show, and how the show has developed into being performed at Theatre503
Conor: This show has always been a labour of love and collaboration. Working with Tazy Harrison-Moore as director has been an incredible experience—she has such a sharp eye for detail and brings out nuances I hadn’t even realized were there. Over time, the show has evolved through input from our creative team, each run introducing new elements that enhance the storytelling. Our move to Theatre503 feels like the perfect next step; the space encourages intimacy and experimentation, which are so central to the play. Every performance feels like we’re building something new with the audience, and that dynamic keeps it fresh and alive.
Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Conor: Looking for fun? would probably be a neon-lit cocktail with layers you don’t expect—something like a Mezcal Margarita with a splash of lavender syrup, served with a sparkler and some dry ice. It’s smoky and sharp, with a surprising sweetness that sneaks up on you. Like the play, it’s a mix of bold flavours that linger with you long after the glass is empty.
Catch Looking for fun? at Theatre503, Battersea, from the 22nd-24th January at 19:30 (65min). Tickets are available via the Venue’s Online Box Office.
Image Credit: Andrew Perry
Phoebe Bakker
