Every Edinburgh Fringe Festival DarkChat likes to try writers that are new to us and this led us to ‘Le Monocle’ written by

Tiff Milner. The piece is set in a Parisian lesbian bar – Le Monocle – in the years leading up to World War II. We meet the bar

owner, Lulu, well portrayed by Liza Greenhalgh, and her clientele. We hear their stories and the daily challenges they face in

a city increasingly intolerant of difference.

The venue, in the Space@Surgeons Hall, is new to DARKCHAT and has the smallest stage we have seen this Festival. It is

difficult for a cast of seven to work in such a confined space and contend with numerous props. There is also an enveloping

curtain to hamper entrances and exits. Despite these challenges, we were glad we decided to attend.

This is a well-researched piece, shedding light on a clandestine world. Interestingly, the details on the EdFringe website nearly

deterred us from booking, as it warned us of violence and scenes of a distressing nature. This seems over cautious as violence

is implied rather than on stage and the brief detail of the play on the EdFringe site, prepares the audience for the nature of the

piece.

On the evening we attended, the room was not full. We are aware how difficult it can be to attract audiences at the Fringe and have debated whether the ticket cost and the lack of ‘2 for 1’ offers for the majority of the run, may deter a larger audience from seeing this heartfelt and thought-provoking play.

Le Monocle is at theSpace at Surgeons Hall until August 9th

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/le-monocle