Words: Charlie Sampson

4 stars

The premise of FAMEHUNGRY is intriguing: a millennial performance artist recruits a twenty-year-old TikTok star as a mentor. Orwin explains that she has worked with Jax, the TikTok star, since they were fifteen. Jax joins the performance via Zoom, and while their relationship feels somewhat forced, there’s a charm in its awkwardness.

Throughout the show, Orwin goes ‘live’ on TikTok, promising to do something ‘amazing’ if she reaches 20,000 likes. Watching people join the stream and comment in real-time adds an exciting, risky element, though the target of 20,000 likes seems unrealistic from the outset, leaving me craving slightly more risk. However, the show delves into the politics of TikTok’s strict ‘Community Guidelines,’ which constrain Orwin’s ability to experiment, and these become interesting parameters for her to try and work around.

FAMEHUNGRY is a poignant exploration of the parallels between careers in performance art and the digital world. Jax and Louise examine how both have chosen to exploit themselves for audience approval and financial gain, though Orwin notes her audiences have always been smaller, between 10 and 250, compared to Jax’s thousands.

The show reaches an existential conclusion, questioning the purpose of it all amid dances and humorous imagery. Orwin’s final monologue is a powerful piece of writing, drawing stark parallels between the industries of TikTok and performance art, likening both to abusive relationships. Fame Hungry leaves us with little hope, pondering the future of live performance in the digital age.

FAMEHUNGRY
Summerhall – Main Hall
16:15
31 July -26 Aug