Walking into the intimate setting of the black box theatre at 53two, I was unsure what to expect from this performance. However, it quickly became clear that writer Elis Shotton, has created a raw masterpiece; an honest and important reflection of relationships in contemporary society.
Staged in the round, the audience looked onto a raised platform; a basic set, with an old carpet and simplistic props. This set-up was crucial to the continuity of the narrative, as an overly busy stage would have distracted from the performance. It played well to the disappointing atmosphere of an underwhelming hotel room, where I felt like a fly on the wall.
Director Josh Coates cleverly used the space, ensuring the positioning of the actors was constantly changing; something crucial to a performance in the round. A variety of levels were created, guaranteeing no member of the audience was left out of the action, meaning we were kept engaged and energised throughout. In particular, there were a couple of powerful moments where the actors were looking out at each other in a ‘mirror’, enhancing an ongoing sensation of introspection.
Katie (Elaine McNicol) and Jamie (Ali Michael) had an easy, naturalistic chemistry from the outset. Immediately we saw a familiar relationship suffering from common stresses and relatable set-backs. McNicol had impressive comedic timing, using Katie’s blunt lines to play off Michael’s clumsy, lovable Jamie, as the romantic evening he had set out became increasingly underwhelming. This invited us to both empathise and laugh with the actors. However, it was evident for the audience that there was something more going on; a tension that was slowly building, where both actors succeeded in getting the audience to question what they were truly thinking.
Although it is hard to pick one stand-out moment, for me, it has to be the seconds just after Jamie’s crucial disclosure. The inner turmoil of both characters was played through two entirely conflicting reactions. Reactions that were demonstrated exceptionally both vocally and physically. Jamie’s frustration, confusion and his want for a bigger reaction from his partner was clear. The change in Michael’s posture and facial expressions rung true and were mesmerising, demonstrating his unspoken fears and expectations particularly vividly. This contrasted with Katie’s abrupt avoidance of the issue, where McNicol’s blank panicked expression and immediate busy-ness made the audience feel uncomfortable, drawing us further into the action.
Katie and Jamie slowly eroded a black and white view of sexuality, through two multi-dimensional characters. McNicol in particular manages to build many layers to her character, which were broken down throughout the evening. There were moments of beautiful stillness between the two. We questioned what every pause meant and, through light touches of each other’s bodies, there was a sense of play, reliance and a genuine love, irrelevant of recent divulgence.
Not only did I feel that every audience member would have related to a moment in Katie and Jamie’s narrative, but the performance also succeeded in its aim to challenge our preconceptions of relationship stereotypes and take us out of our comfort zone, immersing us into a journey of discovery with the pair.
Verdict: An immersive triumph.
Reviewer - Anna Chambers
on - 27/2/19
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