SO LA FLAIR’s ‘How to Keep Up with The Kardashians’ is an empowering insight into the struggles of women fighting against today’s insane beauty standards. Shining a light on the hypocrisy of the Kardashian family. Rebelling and redefining feminine beauty as we the audience join the dance party protest, filled with live music, comedic sketch scenes, touching original monologues/ poems and fun lip-synch moments from interviews conducted with women and non-binary people aged 5-60. Directed by SO LA FLAIR’s Artistic Directors Lucy Laverty and Scarlett Spicer. You can “Keep Up” with this production being performed from the 4th-14th August at Underbelly Belly Button, Cowgate Edinburgh at 2:20 pm.
Sporting in their finest Juicy style tracksuits was the multi-faceted cast. Showcasing their wit and vulnerability were Imogen Chillington, Eliza Lewis, Millie Loveday Inglis, Eleanor Haigh, Rosa Hallam Fryer, Mayalae and Montana Rose Aguelo De Guero Barrera. The cast of seven fierce actors also played their roles as writers for the production. Each performed a monologue or spoken word poem surrounding their adversities and journeys of reclaiming their self-love, incorporating movement, props, voice-over and lip-synching, enabling each performer to shine. The most notable example was Haigh’s performance which was gripping from start to finish. Fryer’s use of mirrors was a nice touch in allowing the audience to understand the many inner voices we can all struggle with. Mayalae’s embracing of her Dominican culture and seeing them grow in confidence from this was brilliant to witness. Chillington, Inglis, Lewis and Barrera produced great comedic moments in the sketches presenting the everyday struggles of societal expectations on women from clothing, makeup, fitness and the dangers of nightlife culture. Lewis’s wonderful live musical performance demonstrated her vocal talents.
Laverty and Spicer’s direction curated a collection of brilliant performances from start to finish. Underpinned by the use of the recorded interviews and choreography by Spicer, this created a clear narrative that allowed audience members to feel immersed in the action instead of feeling witness to it. Sofia Armella’s sound design complemented the performances and created a soundtrack that was fun, upbeat and at times heartfelt.
Overall, I believe the show is incredibly impactful on audiences. In the row in front of me was a young girl (aged around seven) who sat beside her Mother. It wasn’t till the end of the show, that the cast made us aware that this young girl was one of the interviewed participants for the show. Seeing the pride on the young girl and mother’s faces as the audience cheered proved that this company was successful in celebrating and empowering women and being role models for younger audiences. Fighting against the seemingly unhealthy beauty standards that people like the Kardashians promote.
I would recommend this production to Fringe goers as anyone can relate to the topics featured in this production as it playfully explores these themes, uplifting its audiences.
You can book your tickets for SO LA FLAIR’s ‘How to Keep Up With The Kardashians’ via the link below…
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/how-to-keep-up-with-the-kardashians
Theatre Scotland 
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