Synopsis

A first-floor London flat’s living room, cluttered and chaotic.

Dana, dancing in her bra and tracksuit bottoms, pours herself a glass of wine and disappears into the bathroom, only to be interrupted by the incessant doorbell. Ruth, soaked from the rain and visibly distressed, bursts in. The two roommates, joined later by Jessica, navigate a night of heartbreak, drunken confessions, and familial strife when Jessica’s estranged father, Jim, arrives unexpectedly.

In Anya Reiss‘s The Acid Test the young women confront their personal dilemmas against the backdrop of a messy, boozy night. Dana, Ruth, and Jessica are each grappling with their own issues—Dana with her boss’s sexual advances, Ruth with a fresh breakup, and Jessica with her complex relationship with her father. Jim, recently kicked out by his wife, adds to the emotional intensity with his presence. The play is a sharp, darkly comedic exploration of youth, relationships, and family dynamics, deftly balancing humour and raw vulnerability. Reiss captures the essence of coming-of-age amidst the chaos of contemporary London life, creating a vivid tableau of late-night conversations and confessions.