Photo credit: Aoife Herrity **** T riangles is one tasty theatrical muffin

It takes a certain sort of reckless insanity, or some serious self-confidence, to put on a show smack in between Tiger Dublin Fringe and the Dublin Theatre Festival. Especially if you’re a small company with a small show. Trying to go up against the latest offerings from the big hitters, and the visiting international opportunities, you often find people are more likely to put their time and money into the main events rather than into small, local acts. In the case of ‘Triangles’ by Sad Strippers Theatre, that could prove to be a mistake. Reckless and insane, and showing some serious self-confidence, at a brief thirty minutes ‘Triangles’ won’t tax your Festival stamina. Indeed, with its three incredible, laugh out loud performances, 'Triangles’ ensures you can both have your cake and eat it.
‘Triangles’' nonsense story is really just a platform for actors and comedians Laura Brady, Meg Healy and Ciara Smyth to do their hilarious, mean girls thing. Featuring three characters whose names belong to kitchen items, Bread, Muesli and Chair spend their days playing childish games or reading stories between the buzzer sounds. Bread is most obviously in charge, with both Muesli and Chair desperate for her approval as they explore dating, hitting on someone in a shop and do women really love chocolate? But it’s not all aimless or pointless. There’s a subtle intelligence at work behind ‘Triangles' exploring gender power dynamics, especially those operating between women. Left to Right: Laura Brady, Ciara Smyth and Meg Healy Photo Credit:Sinead Purcell While always entertaining, ‘Triangles’’ script by Ciara Smyth is not quite at the same level as its excellent performances. Indeed, while it neatly breaks itself up into small sections by way a buzzer, it’s really just one sketch stretched over thirty minutes. Which is something of a backhanded compliment. While recognising that Smyth could have brought more to ‘Triangles' it speaks volumes of her ability that she manages to sustain the audiences interest on a single sketch for thirty minutes without it ever lagging or becoming uninteresting. But if Sad Strippers want to attract a wider audience they’re going to need to broaden their range. And one hopes they will, for Sad Strippers are already looking like they have the potential to be one of the hottest female comedy acts around. Showing exquisite comic stylings, both vocally and physically, as well as impeccable timing, Laura Brady, Meg Healy and Ciara Smyth are just irresistibly funny. There’s something of Foil, Arms and Hog, and even early French and Saunders about Sad Strippers Theatre. If this is the future of Irish female comedy, then the future is looking good. Brady, Smyth and Ryan, individually and collectively, have some serious talent and are no doubt names to watch out for in the future. For now, 'Triangles' is an utter delight. Not so much a main course, 'Triangles' is more a tasty theatrical muffin. Small, compact, loaded with luscious indulgence. A snack between meals that won’t ruin your appetite. So go on. Indulge yourself. You know you want to. 'Triangles' by Sad Strippers Theatre runs at The International Bar until September 30th Sad Strippers Theatre would like to stress they don’t contain any actual strippers. #Review