Review: CONSTELLATIONS, Vaudeville Theatre (Donmar Warehouse)
Yesterday, Besties, we became witness to a beautiful afternoon at the theatre with a performance that was nothing short of amazing.
Constellations (written by Nick Payne) is a stunning piece of theatre that explores the troubles of relationships, identity and terminal disease. At first, you are unaware of where the story is leading - you see the characters of Roland (a beekeeper) and Emmanuel (a quantum physicist) meet at a barbecue, but we see this event happen various times, each with a slightly different version of the same relationship. Their characteristics shift and change, and we begin to question which relationship is the ‘real’ version.
The concept behind this performance is something that is truly inspiring, given the year we have all had; it is a question of choice. This performance has used four different casts to portray the story of Roland and Marianne (or Emmanuel) and there is a choice for audiences to choose which cast they want to see. Would they like to see a young black couple? Or a forty-something white couple? What about an interracial gay couple? Perhaps an elderly couple? The idea of choice is something that audiences really need to grasp again, considering how the pandemic has forced many of us to give up our control and just float from day to day, not really knowing what to expect. And seeing the same couple but in a different universe is an interesting concept – it almost makes you think and question who you are in a different universe.
But there is one choice in this performance that really captured us and tugged at the heart strings of many. Over the course of the show, and as the plot becomes clearer, we learn that one of the characters (and I will avoid saying who so as to not spoil it for those of you that have not yet seen it) develops a terminal illness, a tumour on the front of their brain, affecting their understanding and stringing together of words. And they begin to think about assisted death, or euthanasia. While there is one character that is suffering and unable to comprehend words and phrases, another is begging to have more time with them. And this was such a surreal moment in the theatre. You could feel some people tense in their seats and others avert their eyes from the stage to wipe away a stray tear. It is such a sore topic of conversation and yet, there it was, live on stage.
But it all comes back down to one thing: choice. Free will.
The designer of this piece (Tom Scutt) does a fantastic job and successfully incorporates the stage design to fit with the tone of the piece. The balloons across the stage provide both a happy and sad feeling to the piece. While at times they are used to provide a happy moment, much of the time it is a reminder of the brain injury and to an extent, a representation of the difference multiverses. Michael Longhurst has done a fantastic job at directing this incredibly intimate and heart-warming script, which has the perfect blend of humour, tension and conflict.
The performances by Russell Tovey and Omari Douglas are raw and believable and their talents cannot be faulted. The truth that they give to these characters is beautiful and there is chemistry between the two, giving a much more authentic feel to the relationship they are portraying.
Besties, if you have a chance to see this piece of theatre, we seriously encourage you to begin a discussion about the cast group that you see and start a conversation about the incredible representation that this performance is giving to the stage.
Let us know in the comments on our social media platforms what you think about this performance because as we are coming out of the pandemic and are able to make our own choices again, this performance will be sure to inspire you.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Megan Webb
Constellations continues at the Vaudeville Theatre until 12 September. To book tickets, please click here.