Written by Nick Payne
Directed by Caroline
Stacey
The Street Theatre to
29 July
Reviewed by Len Power
15 July 2017
With the new production of ‘Constellations’, The Street Theatre
has a play that entertains while it intrigues the audience as well.
Written by Nick Payne, ‘Constellations’ was first performed
in London in 2012 and had a limited run on Broadway in 2015. Without giving too much away, the play is a study
of a relationship between two people, Roland and Marianne, from beginning to
end. He’s a beekeeper and she’s a
physicist, which should give you a clue to the play’s unusual and fascinating structure. You’ll work out quickly what’s going on and
then it’s enjoyable watching a play that adds another dimension to what would
otherwise have been a straightforward story.
Caroline Stacey has directed a tight, well-staged production
that looks deceptively simple. She has
obtained strong, confident performances from her cast of two. Lexi Sekuless is terrific as Marianne –
happy, quirky, funny and emotionally honest.
What you see is what you get with Marianne. Kristian Jenkins plays Roland as a man who
has a lot going on under the surface – reserved, more sensitive than we first
realize but not a great communicator. It’s
a very well thought out and effective performance. Both performers demonstrate fine comic
timing, giving the show some very funny moments.
 |
| Lexi Sekuless and Kristian Jenkins |
The other elements of this production add considerably to
its success. The abstract production
design by Imogen Keen is attractive and colourful and uses the full size of The
Street’s stage very effectively. The
excellent lighting design by Owen Horton not only enhances the set but helps to
keep us focussed on where we are in the story.
Sound design by Kyle Sheedy is dramatic and atmospheric.
This is an absorbing and entertaining play which dares to be
different and The Street Theatre has given it an excellent production. I really enjoyed it.
Len Power’s reviews are
also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7’s ‘Artcetera’ program (9.00am Saturdays) and
on other selected Artsound programs.
