03/24/2025
⚫️ Southport News
Saving Tinderella: A Hilarious Take on Love Through the Ages
Play Review - The Atkinson, Southport. March 22nd 2025.
“Saving Tinderella” is a dark comedy written by Anglo-American duo Caroline Afifi and Dr. Siouxsie Cooper, known as Rough & So Ready Theatre Productions.
This fresh and insightful play takes the audience on a journey through love, heartbreak, and two centuries of romance, delivering a blend of sharp humour and emotional depth.
The story follows Alex, an outreach mental health nurse, as she navigates the unpredictable world of online dating. Guided by her mischievous Irish ancestors- her grandmother Geraldine McCarthy and Widow Keating , she attempts to make sense of modern romance whilst confronting the ghost of her recent past - narcissistic ex, Nick. Will Alex finally find love, or is she doomed to another cycle of ghosting and disappointment?
The play cleverly contrasts the ‘swipe-left’ culture of today with the courtship rituals of the past, highlighting how relationships, needs, and desires have evolved.
Caroline Afifi, inspired by her own Ancestry DNA results and complex family revelations, first wrote Saving Tinderella in 2021.
With Siouxsie Cooper, the story has been further developed into an American adaptation, set to debut as a musical in Vermont next summer.
A major strength of Saving Tinderella is its mix of comedy and poignant reflection. The script delivers some standout lines, including:
“Sometimes we have to hug the people we don’t like so we know how big to dig the hole in the garden!”
And
“The skin remembers what the heart forgets.”
The humour is sharp with playful nods to modern dating trends, such as exaggerated filters on dating profiles.
“So they don’t recognize you when you arrive for the date then?” Quips Alex’s Uncle.. and particularly funny moment sees Alex wearing virtual dog ears and a nose to look like a filter she has used.
The cast delivered strong performances, but Maureen O’Farrell was a standout for me , stealing the show with her impeccable Irish accent, expressive body language, and compelling stage presence.
Roy Brandon also added to the comedy with his camp portrayal of Alex’s uncle, even delivering a heartfelt saxophone rendition of ‘Oh Danny Boy’ on saxophone.
Charlotte Cu***ng, as Alex, brought elegance and grace to the lead role, drawing on her Shakespearean background to great effect.
Other cast members played their roles well including Jordan Spratt, Mike Sanders, Geraldine Moloney Judge, Caroline Barber, Rob Verity and Andrew Macaulay.
The set was simple yet effective, and costumes were perfectly suited to their respective eras. The selection of music - both nostalgic hits and original compositions added an extra layer of atmosphere.
While ‘Saving Tinderella’ ran for just one night at The Atkinson, Southport, it was met with an enthusiastic response. Caroline Afifi described the audience as “incredible” and praised the venue as “brilliant.”
We are all looking forward to seeing what Caroline Afifi will create next and, hopefully, bring to Southport!
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