Fringe Review: FOR DOLORES, Traverse 2 at Traverse Theatre

Photo credit: Pat Redmond

Réaltín (Lara McDonnell) and Mo (Catriona Faint) first meet at university years ago, in a lift in Edinburgh, but so much has happened since then. Written by Eva O’Connor, For Dolores is a powerful meditation on the strength of female friendships, love and motherhood. Breathtaking acting from McDonnell and Faint weaves together the past and present as their stories unravel throughout the performance.

Mo and Réaltín have come together to talk. They need to talk. About everything. Performed at Traverse 2 Theatre, two chairs adorn the platformed stage with remnants of their lives hidden below - Buckfast and wine bottles, a disco ball, and a hair dryer. In the present day, they are trying to rebuild their relationship, talking through problems and solutions, remembering the past. Interspersing their discussions are flashbacks, diving into their intertwining pasts and complicated relationships.

From university hedonism to those fragile moments in life where all you need is your best friend, For Dolores is utterly compelling. Incredible writing sees McDonnell and Faint reveal pieces of the plot slowly, with perfect pacing throughout the show keeping the audience hanging on every word. As you assemble their lives slowly, the genius of the writing takes centre stage. Through sharp wit and loveable, genuine characters you fall for every member of the story and are completely captivated.

Faint is disarming as the tough, eye-rolling Mo. She is the counterpart to the wide-eyed, chatty warmth of McDonnell as Réaltín and together the two make for a charming duo. Telling their stories, the staging is simple, narration gives the floor to the words and the power of the actors. For Dolores is a gripping performance exploring themes of grief, loss, motherhood, friendship, love, identity and queer identity without anything feeling shoehorned in. 

A wonderful performance, For Dolores is masterful in its fluidity of storytelling and in the sheer talent of the actors. Beautifully composed, it is a show well worth the watch.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Hannah Goldswain

For Dolores plays at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 30 August, with further info here.