When you were growing up, were you guilty of looking at yourself and your life through rose coloured glasses? Who only focused on seeing the things you only wanted to see and ignored the rest? I think it’s pretty safe to say the majority of us did. It’s easy to still go through life doing this.

Dear Diary is an insightful one woman play, written and performed by Kay Proudlove. We join Kay as she’s cleaning out her old bedroom in her parent’s house. When Kay discovers her teenage diaries, what unfolds is a series of open and vulnerable stories and songs. We journey with Kay through her young obsession with the Spice Girls, gigs at pubs, friendships, fond memories and thoughts of love.

You cannot help but like Kay. She is a brilliant storyteller whose dry, witty humour pulls the audience along on her journey. Even Kay’s songs are very conversational, often stopping mid verse to extend a thought or to explain a point, before jumping right back into the song. Her song writing and voice have that beautiful indie pop tone. It is Kay’s ballads that personally have left a moving, haunting impression. 

Dear Diary is a light-hearted Fringe show that is well worth checking out. The message is powerful, the storytelling is excellent, but more than anything, it is presented by an exceptional artist that I, for one, am very keen to see more of.