Don't miss out on the Fear of Missing Out

By Amy Stow

Sit back and tune in – it’s time for the Zoe MacDonald Show. Zoe appears to be suffering from FOMO – that’s the Fear of Missing Out to all you Twitterphobes – and her radio co-host, Gill, helps Zoe embark on a quest to uncover the root of this FOMO. Through enlisting the help of various outlandish characters, including radio producer and potted-poetry spouter Pam; Jessica, an urban tattoo-artist with sexuality issues; and Anita, a guerrilla wax and vajazzle enforcer, Gill attempts to transform Zoe’s FOMO into YOLO (that’s You Only Live Once to anyone over the age of 25). The result is wacky and, sometimes, wonderful. Set in a small studio, headphones firmly clamped on, the audience is fawned and accosted by Zoe MacDonald at various intervals, often with hilarious consequences.

Soundscapes and fantastic character work take us on a journey of intrigue as MacDonald easily flits between the voices on this radio show. Unfortunately, however, the narrative itself is where this production falls short, providing a weak story that centres too heavily on female genitalia and generating some confusion regarding what really lies at the heart of this show’s message.

Still, the concept, staging and acting in FOMO is superb, and with stronger material, MacDonald might just have an award-winning show on her hands.

★★★

FOMO – Fear of Missing Out

30th July – 25th August

Underbelly at Radio Forth One (Venue 396)

4pm (1 hr)

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