Loop Review: A Promising yet Flawed Exploration of Obsession
Tanya-Loretta Dee's debut monologue, Loop, is a captivating and unsettling tale of infatuation that teeters on the edge of limerence. As Bex, a young woman with a penchant for fantasies, her world unravels in a slow-burning dance of desire and disintegration.
Dee brings an intimate rapport to the stage, effortlessly weaving witty asides into the narrative, which adds a layer of complexity to her portrayal. The supporting cast, including her harried best friend Greta and her enigmatic mother, are skillfully fleshed out by Dee's nuanced performance. However, James, Bex's fantasy partner, is woefully one-dimensional, reducing the tension between them to an unconvincing stalemate.
The true problem lies in the production's reluctance to fully commit to its dark undertones. Cheng Keng's lighting design and Mydd Pharo's abstract set create a foreboding atmosphere, but Dee's restrained performance fails to tap into the chaos that simmers beneath the surface. Director Sophie Ellerby's handling of the script is similarly cautious, never fully surrendering to the anarchic tendencies of Bex's obsession.
Loop feels like a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been – a searing exploration of the destructive power of desire that gets nowhere near realizing its full potential. As it stands, Dee's standout performance and supporting cast are not enough to overcome the production's measured approach, leaving Loop feeling like a missed opportunity for something truly wild and untamed.
Tanya-Loretta Dee's debut monologue, Loop, is a captivating and unsettling tale of infatuation that teeters on the edge of limerence. As Bex, a young woman with a penchant for fantasies, her world unravels in a slow-burning dance of desire and disintegration.
Dee brings an intimate rapport to the stage, effortlessly weaving witty asides into the narrative, which adds a layer of complexity to her portrayal. The supporting cast, including her harried best friend Greta and her enigmatic mother, are skillfully fleshed out by Dee's nuanced performance. However, James, Bex's fantasy partner, is woefully one-dimensional, reducing the tension between them to an unconvincing stalemate.
The true problem lies in the production's reluctance to fully commit to its dark undertones. Cheng Keng's lighting design and Mydd Pharo's abstract set create a foreboding atmosphere, but Dee's restrained performance fails to tap into the chaos that simmers beneath the surface. Director Sophie Ellerby's handling of the script is similarly cautious, never fully surrendering to the anarchic tendencies of Bex's obsession.
Loop feels like a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been – a searing exploration of the destructive power of desire that gets nowhere near realizing its full potential. As it stands, Dee's standout performance and supporting cast are not enough to overcome the production's measured approach, leaving Loop feeling like a missed opportunity for something truly wild and untamed.
, think it's hit or miss... felt really drawn into bex's world 
but at the same time kinda wished they took more risks 
, like with james' character or even the whole production's tone 
. anyway, tanya-loretta dee's performance was def worth watching 
his character felt like a prop or something 
the only thing that saved the show for me was tanya-loretta dee's performance, girl she just carried the whole thing on her back 
and even then, i felt like she was holding back, you know? it was like the director was all 'hey let's make this dark and moody' but actually didn't want to go full in 
, but that script just didn't quite live up to the hype for me. It's like the director wanted to keep it safe and controlled, but that made it hard to connect with Bex on a deeper level. I get what Sophie Ellerby was going for, but sometimes you gotta lean into the crazy and wild stuff 
. Still, Dee's performance is super compelling and had me hooked from start to finish. Maybe next time they'll take more of a risk and really make it pop 
, but that one-dimensional love interest had me rolling my eyes 
. And what's up with the production trying to be all mysterious and dark without fully committing? It feels like they're playing it too safe, you know? I would've loved to see more of that chaotic energy Bex's obsession is supposed to unleash 
. But hey, still a great performance from Dee, and the supporting cast was on point 
... Dee's performance is so captivating, but at the same time, I felt like I was missing something because of how carefully controlled the whole thing felt 
... like, you can tell there's this huge storm brewing beneath the surface, but it never quite breaks through 
! They totally had me feeling like Bex's world was falling apart. But at the same time, I couldn't shake off this feeling of disappointment 
. Dee's performance is definitely a highlight, but it feels like she was meant to be more unhinged than we got to see her being 
. the direction and lighting are pretty cool, but its like they're playing it safe too much. a little less restraint would've made all the difference imo 
. whats the point of making a monologue about obsession if you dont take risks? 
I can totally feel how underwhelming the whole experience must have been for you after seeing this show 
. It sounds like Dee brings so much to the stage with her performance, but it's just not enough to carry the whole production forward 
. One dimensionless character is a big letdown, and I get why that would affect the tension between them 
.
. I need some sources on why they thought it was just "promising yet flawed"... didn't see that in the show myself 
. Newsflash: sometimes you gotta take a risk and go full-on crazy to really capture that feeling of obsession. And don't even get me started on James... his character is literally just a prop to advance Bex's storyline. The set design's cool, I guess, but it's not enough to carry the entire production. And that lighting? Forget about it... sometimes you gotta turn up the heat (or in this case, the darkness) to make something truly memorable 
i felt like she's going through this insane rollercoaster of emotions and Dee just brings it to life so masterfully
i'm rooting for her to bring more projects to life and take risks on her stories! 
. But I feel like the supporting cast was kinda wasted, you know? They had some amazing lines but never got to fully develop their characters.
! I love how abstract and dark it was, it totally matched the vibe of the play. But at the same time, it felt like the director was playing it way too safe? Like, I know the theme is about obsession and all, but can't we get a little more intense with it? 
anyway, tanya-loretta dee's performance was still SO captivating i loved how she brought so much depth to bex's inner world 
. The lead actress is fire 
. Its like the director was all "let's keep it subtle" 
but the whole point of a drama about obsession is to get WILD 
, just wish they took more risks 
