DramaReviewSouth West

Then Again – Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Created and devised by Tremolo Theatre Company

Directors: Helena Middleton and Jack Drewry

Reviewer: Joan Phillips

This short 60-minute play downstairs in The Lab performing space at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth is a light-hearted, but cautionary, tale about relationships in the digital age.

Created and devised by Bristol-based Tremolo Theatre Company,Then Againtells the story of the awkward Millie, who gets tongue-tied talking to her colleagues and co-workers but doesn’t hesitate to electronically tell them to turn their music down. The only person she seems able to talk to easily is her childhood friend, Anna. Millie is a tech geek studying for her PhD and Anna is a performing artist chasing a deal with a promotion company.

This is a fast-paced but frothy warning about finding approval according to the numbers of followers you might have on social media and the risks of losing your friends in real life. Nothing original is said and certainly, as a piece, it doesn’t engage deeper analysis.

Despite the rather lightweight tone and familiar theme, this short production has a lot going for it. Led by Hanora Kamen as Millie, Lily London as Anna, supported by Alice Ritchie and Jack Drewry, the cast are tremendously enthusiastic and very likeable.

Executionally, there are some great ideas to bring the internet on stage without the audience having to look at a single screen. Millie’s virtual life takes off with her ‘MillieMakes’ vlogs, brought to life through illuminated rectangular plastic tubing framing our engaging cast. Updates and emails are punctuated by some fun and creative sound effects.

Then Again is perhaps a little too simple and one dimensional for an adult audience, but for a younger age group the engaging delivery and the simplicity of the message could be well received.

Runs until 7 April 2018 | Image: Contributed

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The Yorkshire & North East team is under the editorship of Jacob Bush. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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