Handle It – Putting the Spotlight on Social Media – Adelaide Fringe Review

Bakehouse Theatre’s The Studio, Mon Feb 16 Laura Jackson has done a good job of writing and presenting a solo performance with the apparent primary intention of focusing on the role of social media in the lives of Generation Y. Facebook in particular, for good or ill, serves up a running commentary on people’s lives, and has the power to destroy their reputations. Screening a Facebook newsfeed on the back wall of the stage is a clever device that allows the audience to view the commentary on some promiscuous images of a one night stand that have gone viral, while affording Jackson time for costume changes. She plays six different characters. Her portrayal of the male revelling in the glory of his one night stand the following day is well, er – very male! She has just the right amount of cocky swagger! Her most convincing performance was of the 16-year-old girl who goes to the police to tell the darker truth about what really happened on the night of the one night stand. Everyone knows these days how damaging Facebook can be, but Handle It cleverly demonstrates that while Facebook can be a problem in people’s lives where your every fault becomes fodder for an ongoing conversation among your peers, it is often things much closer to home that having nothing to do with social media that present greater dangers. Acting out the parts of six characters is a challenging task for any performer, and some of these characters will get better as Jackson has more time to make them more defined and feel more comfortable with them, but the basic premise of this play is an intriguing one, with a story worth the telling. Michael Coghlan Handle It continues at the Bakehouse Theatre’s The Studio until Sat Feb 21. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.