Theatre review: Sophie Ben and Other Problems
Sophie Ben and Other Problems Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin **** Written by Conor Burke Production by Binge Theatre Dates 27th Jan-1st Feb 2020 Sophie and Ben are a young couple in their twenties. We are the audience in a talk that they are giving about their relationship. They are the objects of a study. Their friend James is doing his dissertation on ‘Modern day Millennial relationships’ and they have been asked to speak. They’re both “a bit nervous” about giving this talk. Akin to Noah Baumbach’s recent film Marriage Story , they begin to describe each other. They have written notes to help themselves along: We learn, among other things, that Ben never says ‘thank you’ to the bus driver and that Sophie likes pineapple on her pizza. She is the self-described ‘Sugar baby’ and “I’m the Sugar daddy” adds Ben, “just with no fucking money” Sophie reminds him, Ben readily agrees. Yes, they even finish each other’s sentences. Chemistry fizzles and the humour is sh