Writer: Nick Payne
Directors: Michael Anderton and Iain Davie
This two-hander about the various possibilities within a relationship, in alternate universes, originally won huge success on both sides of the Atlantic.
Marianne (played in this production by Chloe Garling) is a scientist who meets bee-keeper Roland (Zak Cartney) at a barbecue. Her passion for theoretical physics, including the notion of there being alternate universes, mingles with his more down-to-earth mastery of producing honey.
They don’t get together, and then they do, as mini scenes are replayed with variations. It’s a little reminiscent of the sequence in Groundhog Day when Bill Murray is trying to seduce Andie MacDowell and repeatedly gets slapped in the face.
However, while there are some shades of rom-com in this narrative, it’s also more fragmented and serious in tone. As well as portraying different iterations of the present, the play shuttles back and forth in time, giving us glimpses of the denouement. It’s quite the jigsaw.
The short interactions between Marianne and Roland sometimes look like behavioural experiments, at other times like actions being repeated in theatrical rehearsals. Chloe Garling and Zak Cartney pull off the difficult task of making every interaction distinctive and fascinating to watch.
Their close rapport persuades us of their intimacy in some scenes and alienation in others. It’s a demanding script and they show a high level of skill and versatility in bringing it to life. The impressive attention to detail also points to Michael Anderton and Iain Davie’s assiduous direction.
From all the fragmentation, repetition and contradictions in the show, a particular scenario emerges. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, though. I’d much rather urge you to see this terrific production.
Runs until 26 August 2023 | Image: Contributed
Excellent
