Theatre review: Epic Love and Pop Songs

If the story of a motor-mouthed teenager with a nice-but-weedy not-quite-boyfriend and a baby bump sounds a mite familiar to you, Doll (Norah Lopez Holden) would like to make one thing clear: this is not the film Juno. Nor is it a subplot from ÂHollyoaks. This is simply the story of Doll, her mate Ted (George Caple) and their Âjourney through what we'll spoilerphobically describe as an 'eventful' few months.

Let’s deal with the J-word first: aside from the similar plot and character beats, writer Phoebe Eclair-Powell comfortably rivals Juno writer Diablo Cody’s ear for a witty turn of phrase. (Doll’s drink of choice, ‘winergy’ – aka wine and Red Bull – will be a Fringe staple before the run is out.)

Epic Love And Pop Songs ***

Pleasance Dome (Venue 23)

Both works also share a knack for perfect soundtrack choices, though as the name suggests, Pop Songs favours Queen Bey over Moldy Peaches.

Holden and Caple have incredible chemistry together – not to mention the Best Handshake of the Fringe 2016 – but what starts off as a funny, engaging story of high school misadventure ends up buckling under the weight of too many soap opera plot twists. Epic Love can more than hold its own against Juno; it’s theHollyoaks bit it has to watch out for.

Niki Boyle

Until 29 August