Lolo's Boyfriend Show ***

Lolo (Lauren O’Brien) is on stage – this is her boyfriend show… or is it?

The opening depicts a conversation with a loving boyfriend. They’re making plans and this looks like the real deal. She then circles back to her beginnings and recounts her backstory.

As a child, she failed to read the popularity room, effectively marginalising herself. She is far from immune to cultural influences, however, and realises that she can reposition herself socially in a more accessible vein. A new approach meets with the desired outcome as she lands a sporty boyfriend. He moves away for career progression, the first of many short-term and unfulfilling relationships.

She moves in with a man who has left his wife to be with her. She soon feels trapped and guilt tripped. She self-harms – a cry for help. There is the narcissistic actor, with whom she shares a deeply unsatisfying encounter, but she is still upset when he dumps her. We learn of the yogi who manipulates and robs her.

Lolo attends a love and sex addict 12-step programme, but ends up being assaulted by one of the group, who wants to pimp her out. Despite her fear and the red flags, she is sad because he seemed nice.

A tendency to self-destruction now evident, she is traumatised. She finds solace in songwriting and begins to create music.

Lolo displays faulty pattern recognition, seeks approval and validation, before we get to the relationship with her mother. While hopelessly naïve, she at heart wants to be loved.

Her sense of self-worth gets a boost with her burgeoning performance path, hitting heights at the New York City Fringe. She now has a filter and her own voice, demonstrated in the valedictory denouement.

The show is a blend of music, comedy, storytelling and character work, but at its core is O’Brien’s charming and bold performance, exposing Lolo’s flaws and soul to the world.

This is no longer Lolo’s boyfriend show: it’s centred on her. In her own words: “This is exactly where I need to be”.