Written by Aviary Talent
Review by Moyra Jones
Aideen McQueen has an instantly charming stage presence. From the moment you walk into the room, the atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, as though you’re being invited into a friendly conversation rather than a performance.
The show begins with McQueen pouring herself a drink and revealing that she’s anxiously waiting for a text from Tom, a man she’s just started dating on Tinder. From there, we’re taken on a journey through her character’s life and dating misadventures, meeting a cast of characters along the way: Conor, the supposedly “harmless” work colleague who insists on coming over to help with a job application; her brother, keen to rope her into a crypto deal; and an online psychic who is, quite frankly, useless.
What unfolds is an evening from hell that captures the bleakness and absurdity of dating in your thirties – particularly the agonising wait for a text back. It’s a clever and relatable concept. Alongside the playful, interactive exchanges with the audience, darker undertones emerge, hinting at a past incident that has left McQueen’s character both distrustful of men and increasingly reliant on alcohol.
The main difficulty lies in the show’s identity: it doesn’t quite decide whether it wants to be a play or stand-up comedy. As a result, the heavier emotional moments don’t land with the weight McQueen seems to intend, often undermined by light-hearted audience interjections. The uplifting ending, while sincere, feels somewhat jarring against the otherwise breezy, chatty tone.
What’s clear, though, is that McQueen is an excellent stand-up comedian. Her charisma and wit are undeniable. But as a play, the show would benefit from greater commitment to its dramatic form so that its emotional core can truly resonate.
Charismatic and Witty
Aideen McQueen: Waiting for Texto runs at Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose
Running time: Sixty minutes without interval
Review by Moyra Jones (contact@corrblimey.uk)
This gander prefers a little privacy
