Amy, I want to make you hard

The Back Loft

There is an underlying problem with documentary theatre that is not viciously edited and stringently workshopped. Namely, when the scaffolding of truth that holds the form together starts to sway, the entire structure can collapse. Luckily, Amy, I Want To Make You Hardjust about has the foundations to remain upright. Devised by Sinead O'Loughlin and Katie Holmes (not that one), this is a performance between friends, reclining on nostalgia, experiences and an overtone of feminism flushed with prerecorded soundbites.

Tales of first periods and bad boyfriends occasionally wander into cliche but can be forgiven because there's a feeling that this exploration is embryonic. The intention to make a feminist play is wrapped up far too casually, and while the performers are lovely, awkwardly endearing, and likable, this needs a lot more attention and greater substance to give its cuteness a sharper edge.

Ends Saturday

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