Edinburgh Fringe 2025
Centre of the Universe
Trish Wadley Productions and Drama Queens Universe
Genre: New Writing, Solo Show, Theatre
Venue: Summerhall
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
‘This has never been done before. No person, no woman, no young woman has ever admitted to being the Centre of the Universe.’ Fifteen year-old Mary has no discernible talent but she can’t ignore the glaring signs that she is destined for greatness. When a TikTok influencer comes to her school, she embarks on a journey. By the age of twenty-three, she will make it to the top. No matter the cost.
Review
Gaia Mondadori delivers a blistering, high-octane performance in Centre of the Universe — an absurd, comic, intensely funny and, occasionally painful, one-woman show about the burning need to be seen. Not just noticed, but recognised — as special, important, worthy.
Written and performed by Mondadori, the play centres around Mary, a 15yr old teenage girl spiralling into self-delusion as she takes dubious life advice from a TikTok influencer, determined that the fame she seeks will arrive by her 23rd birthday. If it doesn’t, well… life will be over. What follows is a hilarious, absurd and oddly touching journey through Mary’s increasingly desperate attempts to become someone – anyone – of consequence.
This is storytelling in its most direct form – confessional, conspiratorial, gloriously unhinged. With furious never failing energy Mondadori invites us into the chaotic inner world of Mary,
The writing is fast, sharp and bang on the cultural pulse. However, beneath the laugh-out-loud absurdity lie darker layers: loss, a longing to fill a void, to make sense of pain in a world that offers only likes, shares and social media perfection. These moments are brief, but provide moments of punctuation in an otherwise helter skelter journey.
Mondadori’s character work is a joy. Her depictions of those around Mary – clueless teachers, social media gurus, concerned friends – are acutely observed and very, very funny. She captures both the comedy and quiet tragedy of their roles in Mary’s increasingly warped quest. The story is utterly bonkers, yet grounded – we believe her, we root for her, we laugh with her.
The use of space is simple but effective – a minimal set, a few props and occasionally, some engagement with members of the audience.
While it gleefully skewers the world of TikTok and Gen Z’s self-curated identities, Centre of the Universe also asks something deeper: what happens when self-worth depends entirely on the gaze of others?
An intense, exhilarating rollercoaster of a show – a genuine fringe gem that will resonate (in different ways) across all age groups.
