Theatre Review: I Met All My Friends on Dating Apps, Alma Tavern & Theatre

Summary:

Rating: ★★★★
Running Dates: Wednesday 16th July – Friday 18th July 2025
Where to see it: Alma Tavern and Theatre
Duration: 50 minutes
Keywords: Intimacy, Self-acceptance, Polygamy, Love

Review

A solo show exploring unconventional love, self-discovery and the emotional math of modern dating.

There are few shows that manage to balance intimacy, humour, and vulnerability as skillfully as I Met All My Friends on Dating Apps. This solo monologue, performed with charming honesty and sharp wit, invites the audience into the private world of J – a woman who, despite being happily married, decides to explore non-monogamy by diving into the world of dating apps.

What unfolds is less of a polished TED Talk and more of a catch-up with a close friend - funny, chaotic, sometimes heartbreaking. Over the course of the performance, J shares stories of awkward meetups, unexpected friendships and the deep emotional terrain that comes with questioning the boundaries of traditional love. Her journey isn’t about sex - it’s about connection, confidence and self-acceptance. And while she jokingly describes herself as “vanilla with sprinkles,” the emotional layers she peels back are anything but plain.

J speaks directly to the audience, breaking the fourth wall frequently and naturally. There’s a lightness in the way she engages with people – she makes eye contact, reacts to the crowd and even exits with a cheeky “date” from the audience at the end. It's a subtle reminder that her story is still unfolding and we’re lucky to have witnessed part of it.

Photo by Jericho Reid

The show cleverly uses modern technology to give some more food for thought by showing graphs and memes to contribute to a dynamic but familiar experience. One standout moment involves a puppet re-enactment of her worst date, complete with recorded bar audio. It adds a layer of realism and humour that balances out the more raw, reflective parts of the show.

Among the lighter anecdotes and laugh-out-loud moments, there are striking emotional beats – most notably a moment where J strips down to her underwear and holds the audience’s gaze. It’s a powerful, wordless statement about body image, vulnerability and the courage it takes to truly be seen.

At its heart, this is a show about love – love of others, love of self, and the ongoing, messy process of figuring out what that actually looks like. It poses quiet but important questions: Is polyamory something you are, or something you do? How do we define intimacy in a world of swipes and “situationships”? And how many connections does it take to find clarity, not closure?

J’s story is not a universal one, but it’s relatable in its honesty. Whether you’re monogamous, poly-curious, or just tired of being ghosted by good kissers, I Met All My Friends on Dating Apps offers warmth, laughter, and maybe even a little hope. It reminds us that love, however unconventional, is worth exploring if you're brave enough to swipe right on the unknown.

Standout Moment: J took an online BDMS test in which she scored 100% vanilla but exploring polygamy while being married makes her, using her own words, “vanilla with sprinkles”.

See If: You’re looking for a warm, witty but realistic play about self-love and acceptance.

Last Impressions: I Met All My Friends on Dating Apps is a refreshing, funny and powerful solo show that invites you into one woman’s journey through modern love, awkward encounters and self-acceptance. It’s not a show about dating apps. It’s a show about choosing to be honest and vulnerable with yourself, even when it’s a bit messy.

We were kindly gifted these tickets in exchange for a review.

Written by Maria Tulecka