Review: Fun at Parties, Fringe 2025

Berlin Open Theatre’s latest offering, Fun at Parties, plunges headfirst into the pulsating, often surreal, world of Berlin’s techno and club scene.

This all-female ensemble navigates a subculture where “fun” is a complex and often destructive currency. The play follows a group of four women whose lives are inextricably linked by the city’s legendary nightlife, exploring what happens when the party ends and reality sets in. It’s a fascinating, if sometimes unsettling, look at a world far removed from the average Fringe-goer’s experience.

The Party Vibe

The frenetic energy of Berlin’s nightlife is palpable from the outset, captured through a fast-paced, multi-role performance by the four actors. The show’s title is, in a way, a masterstroke of irony; the “fun” on display is less about carefree joy and more about a drug-hazed denial of reality. The characters exist in a state of euphoric addiction, constantly chasing the next high to mask the shittiness of their lives. “An alternative title could be ‘Friends doing copious amounts of drugs during quasi-legal raves in Berlin,’” and it’s a fitting description of the world the play creates.

The performance is a hypnotic exploration of this subculture. The actors are fantastic, each embodying two or more distinct characters with seamless transitions. We are introduced to Sky, the archetypal party girl, and Lisa, the weary but dedicated party organiser. Their lives intersect with a naive corporate accountant from Germany who desperately wants to be accepted into their circle, and Carlo, a no-nonsense foreigner who makes things happen. The play’s strength lies in its ability to make you feel like an observer of this subculture, even if you relate to absolutely none of the characters.

Friendships Under Strain

At its core, Fun at Parties is a story about friendship and the transient nature of belonging. We see a rookie accountant who, despite her best efforts, never quite cracks the inner circle. Her desire for acceptance is a poignant thread throughout the play, highlighting the brutal reality that some circles are just too insular to penetrate. The characters are held together by their shared experiences within this unique scene, but as the inevitable toll of their lifestyle begins to show, the cracks in their friendships start to appear.

The play asks a compelling question: Can these friendships survive the very thing that created them? Will the search for fun ultimately destroy the connections that were forged on the dance floor? This is a high-octane piece of theatre that makes you wonder what will happen to these women long after the stage lights go down. It’s an “interesting piece” that deserves a larger audience, but be warned: this is not an easy watch, nor is it one for the kids.

Overall

Fun at Parties is a challenging, energetic, and highly engaging piece of new writing from Berlin Open Theatre. The all-female cast delivers a series of simply fantastic performances, creating a vivid and immersive portrait of a cultural dream that is ultimately harder to live than it is to sell. It’s a show that will resonate with anyone interested in high-energy, thought-provoking theatre. This is a production that stands out from the Fringe crowd and is well worth seeking out.