Review: CONVERSATIONS, Emmerson & Ward, Curve and De Montfort University

Conversations is a digital production by award-winning writer and performer, Rob Ward (Gypsy Queen, Away From Home). It is directed by Julia Thomas (Burning Books) and features performances from Ryan Anderson, Darren Bennett, Rosie Fleeshman, Reece Lyons, Londiwe Mthembu, Corinna Powlesland and Esme Sears.

Conversations is part of the DMU annual pride event during LGBTQ+ History Month. It tackles four stories, over five chapters, featuring awkward zoom dates, middle-aged keyboard warriors, online theatre rehearsals, and Harry Potter superfans.

Chapter One, entitled The World Burning, features Rosie Fleeshman and Esme Sears as an almost couple in the early stages of their relationship. It starts off very light-hearted and everything seems to be going well on their Zoom date. Unfortunately it starts to become very apparent that there are some political differences between the pair. There’s some powerful writing and great performances here from Fleeshman and Sears as they try to persuade the other to see things from their perspective, whilst refusing to move from their own.

We revisit the couple in chapter Five (Never Kissed A Tory), when they have to decide whether to continue with their burgeoning relationship despite their differences. There is an extremely moving and well delivered speech from Sears about the inequalities faced by the Black community and why she went to the BLM protests, as well as an equally moving response from Fleeshman about watching her parents deal with the pandemic on the frontline of the NHS. Both chapters are thought-provoking and careful to present the debate equally on both sides.

As huge Potterheads, Chapter Two -performed perfectly by Reece Lyons - is one that stands out. It is both comic, as she likens her many former step-fathers to various Harry Potter father-figures, and moving as she describes how she feels about the world of Harry Potter now.

A particular favourite is Chapter Three, a comical version of a terrible Zoom rehearsal with a bit of a dark twist at the end. It is well performed by Ryan Anderson and Corinna Powlesland, with both performers really entering into, and enjoying, their roles.

The Art of Debate (Chapter Four) is a brilliantly acted piece by Darren Bennett and Londiwe Mthembu, and one that I could have happily sat and watched more of.

Conversations is a great piece and at only 40minutes long, it’s nice and easy to squeeze watching it into your day. The monologues cycle through being thought-provoking, sad, comic, dark, moving, and powerful, without feeling like they’re trying to lecture or guilt their audience. A very enjoyable and entertaining way to spend under an hour of your time, and definitely worth it.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Amy Louise

Conversations is available to stream now on demand until 27 February here.