Rory O'Keeffe @ PBH Free Fringe, Banshee Labyrinth

After writing an app for a choose-your-own-adventure X Factor game, Rory O’Keeffe has decided to turn his hand to a storytelling show in the same vein. O’Keeffe admits early on that it’s his dream to write a novel and in The 37th Question you’ll find his closest attempt to do so in his career so far. And he showcases a knack for pointing out idiosyncracies and the tedium of modern dating. He’s an endearing host and quite the storyteller but it’s tough to care about two characters that are as irritating as those O’Keeffe has created here, no matter the depth with which he has fleshed them out.

The story is nothing new: a couple have been together a while and look about to get engaged, but is the man having an affair? This is interspersed with pre-recorded dialogue from their first date in which they asked themselves 36 questions from an article on dating (the 37th question of the title being a proposal). O’Keeffe keeps interest levels high with his natural charm but the whole thing feels more like an exercise to see if he could do a show this way.

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Rory O'Keeffe: The 37th Question, PBH Free Fringe, Banshee Labyrinth (Cinema Room), until 26 Aug, 1.20pm, Free

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