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A beautiful showcase for a team of young actors, giving them the chance to cut their teeth in a clever adaptation of this two-handed love story. Summary
Rating
Good
Constellations is one of those plays that seems to have been around for a while in one production or another, and yet I have to confess this is my first time seeing the show. It required a quick check with colleagues on the way home that a 14-strong cast wasn’t the norm (apparently it’s usually two although someone did say they had seen it as a four hander)! But we’ll get back to that shortly.
Burnt Orange are a vital cog in the mad machine that is the world of theatre; a world where chances are dwindling away for all but the very lucky who can afford it. The company provide opportunities for young performers from any background to get involved: over 1,000 young people engaged with them across their various programmes in 2023, including their Rep Company – which brings us nicely back to now. The company work on two productions side by side (the other being The Tempest), and over the course of a few months prepare them for a paying audience. Of course, giving this open ethos runs the risk of it being more a student or amdram production, but at the same time it might possibly help bring a new shining star or two to our attention.
For those who, like me, appear to have been buried under a stone for the past decade or so and don’t actually know Nick Payne‘s story, it follows Roland and Marianne through their relationship and all its ups and downs. But this isn’t going to be a ‘happy ever after’ tale: Marianne’s incurable brain tumour soon puts an end to that. Just to add a little more depth and confusion, it is all played out in a non-linear route, and takes on the premise that there are infinite versions of us based on all the unlimited choices we may make in our lives.
It’s these infinite versions that clearly appealed to Burnt Orange’s AD and director Rosie Thomas, as this gives ample opportunity to cast multiple actors in the same role. Whilst the original production of Constellations saw the same two actors repeat the same scenes with all their minor differences, here Thomas directs a cast of 14, allowing scenes to roll from one couple to another and be repeated in a different way.
It risks being a complete mess, but miraculously isn’t anything of the sort. There’s a lovely flow, which is credit both to Thomas and the cast who all seem to know their marks and queues, so as to never stumble over one another even during those intense moments all 14 are present on stage. And the repetition of scenes allows us to appreciate some stand out performers (and I really do wish I could namecheck a couple of really excellent performances but all being called Roland or Marianne makes it difficult to know who was who!). Whatever the individual abilities, what’s not in doubt is how well rehearsed the full 14 are, smoothly working around one another, not a noticeable mistake from anyone.
At the heart of it all is one couple who deliver the heartbreaking scenes as Marianne’s illness becomes more obvious. And Kaci Kerwick as this Marianne really does shine. Her frustrations at not being able to remember the correct word is a beautiful performance that could grace any stage. And Florence Chavallier as Kerwick’s Roland compliments her superbly.
Burnt Orange make a mission of opening up opportunities to all, but not at the expense of quality. This rendition of Constellations is both beautifully portrayed and cleverly developed to allow it to become a showcase for its young cast, some of whom really should have a future on stage.
Cast: Alix Lander, Chloe Chaffin, Eithne Garricks, Florenec Chevallier, Ioan Oosthuizen, Kaci Kerwick, Lauren McIntyre, Leon Day, Lucas Ayton, Phoebe Constantine, Sarah Carvalho, Vere Van Den Broek, Zaafir Virmani, Zoe Agbon
Written by: Nick Payne
Directed by: Rosie Thomas
Movement direction by: Amy Rushent
Produced by: Burnt Orange Theatre
Constellations plays at Drayton Arms Theatre until 4 May. Further information and bookings can be found here.
You can find out more about Burnt Orange and how to get involved here.
