Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon spoke to K.B Morris about her play O.L.D Online Dating playing as part of the Camden Fringe on the 25th and 26th August.
Could you tell me a bit more about O.L.D Online Dating? O.L.D is a one act play about a woman who begins online dating. Her name is Kate, she lives in London and is 32. She’s tired of being by herself and feels as though it was about time she settled down and lived a conventional life which includes getting married and having children. Kate goes on a series of dates in order to find ‘the one’.
How did the idea for the play come about? I went on a series of online dates in a similar way and although Kate is not me, her experiences are. I met some very strange people. some of which are reflected in the play. I also wanted to include political elements regarding life in the capital for Millennials.
What are you most looking forward to about audiences getting to see the show? The play is funny in places so I’m looking forward to people laughing, hopefully in the right parts. I’m also looking forward to seeing if people get a kind of connection or recognition because that is the most important part of writing for me; connection to others. I’m hoping that they will recognise themselves or people they know in some of the characters.
Was there a particular message you wanted to get across?Yes and no. There is a message to take away for the main character in the last scene but that doesn’t necessarily apply to the audience. I don’t want to give too much away, but I think each person will take away something unique to themselves and if the ‘message’ of the play does resonate, that would be nice.
Do you think it is possible these days to become less dependent on social media? I’m not a fan of social media. I don’t have a Facebook account or use Twitter and don’t understand why people feel the need to broadcast such personal aspects of their lives and live for ‘likes’. However, I love the fact that injustice can be immediately broadcast and marches can be quickly organised so it does have some uses. Movements such as #Metoo would not exist without social media for example and that continues to be a very important cause for women all over the world and long may it continue.
Why would you say people should come along and see the show? The show is only superficially about online dating; it’s really about the darker aspects of social media. It looks at loneliness, artificial intelligence in our homes, neoliberalism and modern relationships amongst other things. It’s also a lot of fun in places!
By Emma Clarendon
O.L.D Online Dating will play at The Water Rats as part of the Camden Fringe from the 25th to the 26th August. For more information visit: https://camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=2151