Constellations

I was delighted to go and see Constellations by Congleton Players this evening.  A relatively new play, Constellations portrays the romantic relationship between ‘Marianne’ and ‘Roland’ and how quantum theory plays a big part in both their relationship and the way the play is written & performed.  Early on, the character of Marianne (who works in quantum cosmology) talks about how the theory of relativity is at war with quantum mechanics (which takes care of molecules and atoms).  Because of this, she suggests that we could be part of a multi-universe, which at any given moment, several different outcomes can exist at the same time.  If you’ve ever seen the film ‘Sliding Doors’, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, it’s a similar concept.

This play was brilliantly directed by Beckie Morley.  There were brilliant touches to direction, such as the way the scenes jump back and forth with fluidity and even down to the music that was played before, during the interval and after the production had ended.  It set the tone and brought us into the zone so that we could enjoy the action on stage.  I also loved the way the play was set with the constant lighting changes to signify a different outcome/parallel universe.  The set was very minimal but very apt.  Everything just flowed, from start to finish and I was very pleased with the way that each scene had its own individual tone and clear direction.  In the programme, Beckie talks about her personal opinion: that life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% is how you respond to it.  She says that things are written in the starts for us, but we do have the power to control our own thoughts, actions and happiness.  This sense of fate verses action was apparent in the action that I saw tonight, and this play certainly left the audience questioning their own beliefs.  I witnessed lots of the audience talking about the themes of the play afterwards – a sure sign that it was job done from a directors’ point of view!

The set design for this play was by Nigel Evans and Beckie Morley.  The set was very minimal but this by no way distracted from the action or the message from the writer.  I loved the floating balloons at the back of the set and the use of the stage blocks were good too.  I personally would have brought the cyclorama forward and the whole set forward so that the audience were much closer to the action, but this is only a personal preference and by no way takes away from this production.

The lighting was by Nigel Evans and Martin Lawton.  I thought the lighting was excellent.  I loved the tonal colours for each parallel and the lighting changes were smooth and very effective.  All the lighting changed – and there were a LOT! – were executed brilliantly – well done!

Sound was by Martin Lawton.  As it was a play – I was expecting there to be a few issues with projection but there were none.  In the first half, one of the microphones was turned up quite loudly which caused a slight echo/tonal issue, but it didn’t last long, and I doubt that anyone apart from me noticed.

This play was performed by two young actors.  They never left the stage and stayed in character throughout.  Having had fourteen rehearsals (just over a month of rehearsals), it amazes me that these actors have managed to remember the vast script and complex scenes in such a short space of time.

Marianne was played brilliantly by Autumn Evans.  I loved her interpretation of this role and she is an excellent actress.  Autumn is very understated; and it works for this play.  Autumn knows when to perform to an audience and when to draw them in.  Her diction, articulation and projection were excellent, and I enjoyed her performance very much.  I liked that Autumn found the humour within the play, as-well-as the more serious sides to her characters’ illness.

Roland was played by Callum Hall.  Callum was fantastic in this role.  I enjoyed the nuances of his character; particularly the geeky, quirky and awkward side.  I loved the awkward laughs to fill the silences and appreciated the physicality that Callum brought to this role.  There were a few times that I lost some diction and projection from Callum but overall, I enjoyed his performance very much.  I thought that both Callum and Autumn worked well as a partnership and I believed that they really cared for each other. 

Well done Congleton Players for a brilliant play.  I thank you once again for your hospitality.  This play is superb and deserves to be a sold-out run!   In the programme, the director Beckie talks about the ‘what if’ and the ‘what could’ve been’.  This thought provoking play deserves a MUCH larger audience!  ‘What if’ you never bought a ticket to see it?  Then you’d certainly miss out!  I urge you to go!  It’s written in the stars!

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