Real-life mother-daughter actors, Martha Lott and Amelia Lott-Watson play a fictional mother-daughter relationship, based on the daughter’s pending nomination as the state’s head debater. The scene opens with the duo seated outside the headmaster’s office. It is clear from the get-go that the mother is ambitious and driven, qualities that she believes helped her daughter succeed in the challenging and brutal world of debating.

Whilst the daughter is in with the headmaster, the mother reveals aloud her scheming plan that she hatched to discredit the rival contender. The Debate was written by Lott, and obviously she has learned a secret or two that driven mums have revealed. It is delicious watching her mental gymnastics justifying her actions.

This is a masterclass in scriptwriting and acting and paints a perfect portrait of an imperfect woman, inspired by wanting the best for her child. In her Fringe debut, Lott-Watson played a suffering foil to her mother’s manoeuvres. A very humorous and satisfying play.