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| Kristian Jenkins & Lexi Sekuless in "CONSTELLATIONS" |
Writer: Nick
Payne
Director:
Caroline Stacey - Designer: Imogen Keen
- Sound: Kyle Sheedy
Lighting: Owen Horton - Movement Coach: Emma Strapps
The Street
Theatre 15 – 29th July, 2017.
Performance
on 19th July reviewed by Bill Stephens OAM
Nick Payne’s
intriguing two-hander, first saw the light of day in London in 2011. Since then
it has been performed on the West End and on Broadway, but this production at
The Street Theatre is its first outing for Canberra audiences.
“Do you know
it’s impossible to lick the tips of your elbow” is the opening line,
introducing a short scene, which is repeated over and over, almost identically,
but each time interpreted differently by the two actors, and each time imparting
slightly different information. One is reminded of acting school exercises
where actors explore the different ways they can interpret a line.
But this
play is much cleverer than an exercise, and as other short scenes follow, each
treated in the same way, a storyline begins to emerge and the audience is
slowly seduced by a succession of possibilities, as the relationship between
the two characters begins to deepen. Along the way it’s revealed that Marianne
(Lexi Sekuless) is a quantum physicist, and Roland (Kristian Jenkins) is an
urban beekeeper. Both pieces of information prove to be red herrings, because
as the play progresses, the occupations of the characters becomes irrelevant,
as they explore various ways to interpret reactions to pick-up lines, sleep-overs,
infidelity and terminal disease.
The conceit
of the play is that it purports to explore the idea of multiple universes, all
of equal weight and infinite possibilities. For those audience members
intrigued by the M-theory, how the playwright addresses that idea is doubtlessly
of interest. But anyone frightened off
by that proposition, can rest assured that the brilliance of the play, the
performances and the production, can equally be enjoyed by those possessing not
even the slightest knowledge or interest in the M-theory.
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| Lexi Sekuless and Kristian Jenkins in "CONSTELLATIONS" |
Both Lexi Sekuless and Kristian Jenkins turn in exceptional performances in complex roles
which are nevertheless gifts to the actors. Both have trained in the U.K. and
this training serves them well as the roles demand impressive acting skills and
great concentration. Sekuless has the wider range, and her cameos fascinate through
her attention to detail and emotional gradations. At times one wondered whether
a quantum physicist would be so skittish and flirtatious, but having never
knowingly met a quantum physicist, perhaps they are. Jenkins takes fewer risks, but has excellent
presence and his various characterisations all have the ring of truth.
Deprived of
furniture or props and wearing the same costumes throughout, their ability to
create multiple, often moving, characters is impressive. Deftly flicking
between time frames and situations, in rapid short, sharp scenes punctuated by
quick blackouts and dramatic thunderclaps they are continually fascinating. Their
performance of one memorable scene in Auslan, remains in the mind as a
particular highlight.
Caroline
Stacey has given this fairly modest two-hander an epic-scale production. Her
direction is resourceful and clear, and she takes full advantage of Imogen Keen’s vast multi-level abstract setting to insure visual interest throughout. The
stunning lighting design by Owen Horton, and a wonderfully atmospheric
soundscape by Kyle Sheedy, both contribute enormously to the success of this
fascinating 80 minutes of theatrical Viagra.
Photos by Novel Photographic
This review first published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. www.artsreview.com.au
