Constellations

CONSTELLATIONS … a play performed by CADOS (Chorley Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society) at Chorley Theatre on Thursday 9th May, 2024.

Constellations is a play written by Nick Payne which premiered… upstairs at The Royal Court Theatre, in London, January 2012. The ‘repetitive romantic storyline’ involves a ‘Quantum Physicist’ and a ‘Beekeeper’ who meet by chance at a barbecue. Marianne’s opening chat up line… “Do you know why it’s impossible to lick the tips of your elbows? They hold the secret to immortality, so if you could lick them, there’s a chance you’d be able to live forever. But, if everyone did it and could actually lick the tips of their elbows, then there’d be chaos. Because you can’t go on living and living and living!”  They hit it off, or perhaps they didn’t. They go home together, or maybe they go their separate ways, in this multiverse, anything and everything is possible and perhaps a love of honey could help make all the difference! 

This play is structured with numerous brief scenes which are repeated in different ways … often with different outcomes, often four or five times!  As I got more and more engrossed, I was nudged into thinking about three films that I’d seen… ‘Groundhog Day/Déjà Vu/Sliding Doors all of which had a similar feel but weren’t the same!  This ‘provocative drama’ is about ‘time and memory’, ‘death and grief’... yet is ‘playful and thought provoking’. It asks ‘big questions’ about ‘existence’, ‘purpose’ and ‘free will’, it affirms life, love and companionship, it also drives toward death as its ending! 

Production Team … I had the chance to meet and speak before and after the production with both Alan Levesley (Director) and Katie Potter (Assistant Director) about the production and the way they’d dealt with its dynamics.  I must admit, having spoken with both Alan and Katie before the production, I did get the feeling that I was going to watch something special, something unique, something out of the ordinary …and those thoughts where well and truly confirmed!  When we met after the production my immediate reaction was … ‘Well, that was different’ and it certainly was!  Speaking with Alan after the production I got the distinct impression that he was a ‘true believer’ in ‘roads not taken’… of ‘parallel timelines and how they can affect/structure a life!’  Wow… congrats to you both… I think you got this just right… it was unique, it was something that I won’t forget for a long time!

The Cast…  when I say this two-handed play was ‘unique’… so was it’s ‘casting’…  
Lauren Brogan-Brown took on the role of ‘Marianne’… the quirky, intelligent, vulnerable ‘quantum scientist’
Neil Brogan-Brown took on the role of ‘Roland’… the kind, likeable, laid back ‘Beekeeper’
It’s not often you get a ‘real live married couple’ playing directly opposite each other in any production, let alone in a two-handed provocative drama (I can only imagine ‘line learning’ at home must have been interesting… just wonder what the neighbours thought!). I really am in awe of people who stand on stage and hold an audience’s attention for well over an hour without leaving, or as in this case, without even taking a breath it would seem!  There was little or no chance for thought, let alone breath due to the multiple short scenes being played out, separated simply by ‘switching off the lights’ and immediately ‘switching them back on’ to denote either the ‘passage of time or a multiverse situation’.  Lauren and Neil did all this and more with effortless ease!  Both had great stage presence and their ability not only to create great characters, but the ability to change those character’s character in the blink of an eye.  Their diction/articulation was clear and precise ... which was a necessity if they were to keep the audience informed and engaged!  Mannerisms, attitudes, facial expressions, all added to the storylines that unfolded before our very eyes.  Both took us on individual journeys exploring the limitless opportunities and outcomes available during the course of this interesting emotional, provocative, stimulating drama… be very proud you two… amazing job!

Set/Staging/Tech … no set / no scenery… just rostra creating that created a raised stage floor with black draped legs creating the setting. Two chairs were set on the rostra… plus we had a ceiling full of inflated lilac-coloured balloons… minimal yet very apt.  Lighting was minimal but used well to show/create scene changes, the passage of time and/or the change of direction in the storyline. (Some scenes being repeated/played out four/five times with varying outcomes, altered moods, and endeavours), effective yet simple!  I wasn’t sure why the balloons where there or what their relativity to the play was at first, or even at all … but honestly, as the play started and progressed, they just seemed right, giving this joyful feel, it felt a bit heavenly and a bit ghostly…  yet they felt necessary… I just liked them…full stop!   

Lighting / Sound created by the ever so talented Paul Carr
Props/Stage Furniture … under the watchful eye of Lauren and Neil Brogan-Brown and Alan Levesley
Stage Crew …  Alan Levesley and Katie Potter

I don’t intend to further detail the issues and outcomes from this play, but I will mention probably the most powerful scene, which was a repeated scene, repeated completely in ‘silence’ using ‘sign language’ by both Neil and Lauren.  If you’re a ‘Strictly Come Dancing Fan’ this scene reminded me of the silent (no music) dance that Rose and Giovanni did which was so powerful … you really do need to go and see this play if it comes to your area, go see it, make up your own minds … there are many twists and turns… you will be engrossed by its content and outcomes… but you need to see it for yourself!  (Sign language tuition/coaching was provided by Nicholas Peat). 

Teaching Aid… if I may ‘wax lyrical’ about parts of this play… when asked or I give ‘constructed advice’, especially to our youth groups about theatre … one of the things I highlight is ‘JUST KNOWING YOUR LINES ISN’T THE ENOUGH’ … there is so much more needed than just saying the words written on the page of your script!  Now, having seen this play where the ‘exact same word/lines’ are repeated four sometimes five times in different ways by the same people with different outcomes and different meanings … how good, how useful would this be to use with a group of students to highlight that very point!

Thank you so much CADOS for inviting my wife and I to another successful production stage in The Studio.  Thanks to Alan, Katie, Lauren, Neil and Paul for their time spent chatting about this show … greatly appreciated.  Love intimate theatre, see you all again soon no doubt…

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep
 

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