Ever felt overworked, underappreciated and stuck in a thankless job? You’re not alone! From the minds of Lauren Harvey and Kelly Hodge, Call Girls is an empathetic and funny ode to life in customer service.
The tale follows two best friends who cut out a living in a tiny office with faulty air conditioners and even faultier customers. Working the phone lines, they deal with a constant barrage of emotionally charged queries from the general public, manage insufferable Zoom calls with upper management and fight off the feelings of monotony with whatever fun distraction comes their way. Ella is composed and slightly neurotic while Alexis is aloof and a bit of a wild card. Together they find common ground in their demanding office duties, often clashing over life goals and their approaches to find meaning in their job.
Harvey and Hodge make for a compelling pair. Their characters Ella and Alexis feel rounded out and relatable. They feel like people that would fit into any friendship circle. Their banter feels realistic and the dialogue is quick and snappy, with Ella playing a terrific foil to Alexis and her zany antics. As their friendship is put to the test, it is easy to understand their plight and the struggles that inform their decisions.
The stage is set up with the sparing use of two desks, serving to underline the bleakness of life in a cubicle. The several brightly coloured props scattered across each scene add to some of the workplace claustrophobia as Ella and Alexis do their best to carve out some form of enjoyment from their surroundings. This lends itself to a lot of amusing physical comedy, especially whenever the ladies try to banter in between phone calls. Never afraid to shy away from the drama and challenges each character faces, the show is full of heart and ultimately celebrates the solidarity of friendship in an uncertain and often uncaring environment
Call Girls is a grounded and enjoyable experience anchored by two strong leads with fantastic chemistry. A cathartic journey for anyone who’s had to suffer through a thankless customer service role or has found comfort in workplace camaraderie.
FOUR STARS ****