Gilded Balloon Patter House
Four stars
Alexa and Thomas used to drive each other crazy, ever since they met on a blind date in that bar where they could barely hear each other over the music. Or was that another night? Wherever and whenever it was, seven years on they are stuck in traffic in Kathryn Mincer’s short play, with the perils of couples therapy the only thing to aim for to try and alleviate the boredom. What happens instead by way of being forced to share the same space whilst getting nowhere fast is a series of sense memories of crucial moments past that defined their relationship, both good or bad. Out of this comes a reminder of how they got here, and where they may or may not go next.
Following a brief run in Glasgow earlier in the year, Dominique Mabille’s production of Mincer’s play gets a second outing by way of this Fringe run that once again showcases the talents of those behind the play over its forty-five minute duration. Mincer’s set of intimate exchanges between Alexa and Thomas are all too plausible in her depiction of the very different concerns of each. This is brought home in her flashback based miniature by Annika Foster as Alexa and Ibrahim Bakhait as Thomas. The pair's quiet sparring is akin to watching a series of close-ups that might form the basis of an anthology series based around the private moments of two people forced outside their comfort zone.
All of which bodes well for KD Productions, the woman-led Glasgow based company behind the show. As a grassroots DIY endeavour, it is already showing ambition aplenty in terms of its approach. The situation in GRIDLOCK may be something that happens everyday, but the hint of things to come beyond the play’s parameters leaves you wanting more.
Until 17 Aug, 1pm.
The Herald, August 10, 2026
ends
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