LemonSoap Productions, a collective for young artists and creators, has announced its latest project: a six-part queer comedy audio series, Fruit, described as an “Irish version of Sex and the City”.
The show has been created by Ultan Pringle and Lisa Nally, with Pringle also in charge of writing alongside Hiram Harrington and Lora Hartin. Credited with platforming new talent and fan favourites, it follows four LGBTQ+ gals navigating life in Dublin City today, including all the flirtations, trials and tribulations, and hilarious moments that come as a result.
While Fruit explores several issues relevant to LGBTQ+ audiences, including what it’s like being trans, queerness in the workplace, the difficulties of finding a home and the stigmatisation of HIV, it also celebrates the complexities and joys that come with being a part of the vibrant community.
In addition to its enticing premise, Fruit also promises to bring together queer performers, stage and screen legends, and cameos from stars you won’t expect. Listen out for some Irish queer favourites, such as Kathy Kiera Clarke, Linda Martin, Aidan Gillen, PJ Kirby, Madison Cawley, Meg Reilly, James Kavanagh, Michael Fry, VedaLady and much, much more.
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Speaking about the queer audio series, Pringle told GCN: “Though I have never seen Sex And The City – sue me – I thought that the idea of four gals brunching felt very queer Dublin 2023.
“So we set out to make that show. A show which speaks to who we are now as a queer community, where we’ve been and where we’re going. A show about love, life, romantic friendships and terrible house parties,” he added.
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Ois O’Donoghue, who plays Izzy in Fruit, stated: “When I was growing up as a young trans girl, there were very few places I could see reflections of myself anywhere. In pop culture, we were either tragic side characters or punchline predators. Online, the trans vloggers I obsessed over lived lives I couldn’t relate to, Malibu Barbie Dreamlands full of glitz, glamour and more Valentino than you could shake a stick at.
“This is what I love about Fruit. Izzy and her friends have experiences that feel extraordinary, not in a Hollywood way, but more in a, that first night out in Street 66 kind of way. It celebrates the everyday ecstasy of 2023 queer life in Dublin in a way that feels joyous without ever ignoring the complicated realities that can sit around the fringes of that happiness,” she continued.
“And then on a personal level, it has been a pleasure to experience the all too simple joy of creating queer work, for a queer audience, with queer people. I hope you join us there for some laughs and some brunch.”
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Fruit will be released in weekly episodes starting on Wednesday, June 14. Interested parties will be able to stream the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and the LemonSoap website. There will also be transcripts of the show available for those who wish to access them.
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