Writer: Ally Ryan
Director: Emily Bradley
On its way to the Edinburgh Fringe, Ally Ryan’s Nothing Personal comes to Chaplin’s Bar Theatre, in a production that explores toxic behaviour and dysfunctional relationship patterns. There are some jokes too.
The play blends stand-up comedy and theatre, and follows comedian Megan as she navigates the unpleasant world of misogynistic, male dominated stand-up comedy. Diving into the patriarchal fray head first, she seeks out amorous adventures, using the dates as fodder for her next show. The emergence of Tom acts as a romantic spanner in the works, causing Megan to choose between her life and her career.
Nothing Personal is produced by Lucy Richards-Smyrk and Belly Of the Whale Theatre Collective, and stars writer Ally Ryan in a mostly one-woman show. Originally directed by Emily Bradley, it was nominated for the Theatre Lovett Always Ready Award during its sold out run at the Dublin Fringe 2025, and is gearing up for its UK debut later this year.
The set is simple but cleverly used. Chaplin’s Bar Theatre is small but intimate, and suits this play well. Crucially, they have a fan. It’s only a small propeller fan but it does the job. A vital bit of advice for all theatres big and small: be like Chaplin’s. Install a fan.
Ryan acts well during the show, ping-ponging between humour and drama throughout. Tom, played by Stephen Mullen, is the main love interest of Nothing Personal. As the poster implies, he is faceless, and exists only off-stage, all his lines being pre-recorded. Think The Archers. Although this is somewhat innovative, it feels a little jarring considering how much of the play he is in, and in a play that is largely about demeaning men being a bad thing, it feels vaguely sexist to not allow the male actor onto the stage. The constant use of, and discussion about social media, including the loud notifications on Megan’s phone, are likewise a little jarring after a while.
Nothing Serious, full of bad dates and 4th wall breaks, is heavily influenced by Fleabag – like everything since 2016, with good reason. However, the unsettling behaviour of Megan throughout, while funny, is not overly endearing. It is more akin to Donleavy’s lead character in The Ginger Man. That being said, the show was thought provoking and at times hilarious. Ryan’s attempt to discuss abusive male behaviour while portraying a toxic female character in this darkly comedic drama was admirable, and, largely, she pulled it off well.
Runs Until 16 July 2026.
The Reviews Hub Star Rating
Darkly comedic drama
