Review: The Space Between, Hen and Chickens Theatre

Of all the decisions to be made throughout life, deciding who you want to be and who you choose to marry must rank amongst the most important. The Space Between, written by and starring Lisa Falb and Felix Smole is an absorbing story of how a relationship can continue when feelings and people change.

The charming Ben (Smole) and affable Annabelle (Falb) appear to be a perfectly happy and committed couple; they have been together for six years, co-own a flat and two goldfish. Except Annabelle has a lingering doubt that something isn’t quite right by her, something that feels deeper than a temporary uncertainty about life. When the unsuspecting Ben proposes, he is understandably surprised not to receive an immediate “Yes!” Annabelle seeks solace with their empathetic mutual friend Luisa (Conny Unger), whilst she figures things out, which inadvertently adds another layer to Annabelle’s dilemma. The trio experiences a spectrum of confusion, support, disagreements, and heartfelt understanding, as Annabelle journeys toward self-discovery.

As writing partners, Falb and Smole have skilfully crafted a well-balanced script which presents both sides with equal understanding and compassion. There are no romcom-style exaggerated behaviours to encourage the audience to side with one character over another by having one clearly set up as ‘the baddie’. True to life, both characters are fully believable when they unintentionally cause hurt or reasonably expect a more supportive reaction from the other. The cast shares great chemistry and conveys the depth of emotion, both verbally and with subtle physical gestures, such as handwringing or a quick flash of disbelief.

Director Megan Farquhar adjusts the pace to match the emotions of the script, allowing the audience to absorb and feel the impact from the perspective of both sides and share in the shocks when revelations are announced. There are some appropriately chosen songs to match the more upbeat moods, whilst silence falls to emphasise the drama. This keeps the story fully engaging as the mystery of Annabelle’s feelings are uncovered. To relieve the tension of the serious interpersonal drama, there is plenty of well-played humour; the names of the goldfish cleverly set up a brilliant joke.

The set design facilitates the pace to shift between the two central locations, with the action occasionally overlapping between them. Most of the stage comprises the table and chairs of Ben and Annabelle’s shared flat, as well as the intricately set out tank of their beloved goldfish (played by plastic models). The well-worn sofa placed to the side also doubles up as Luisa’s flat, and a swift deployment of blankets switches between them. The lighting by Juniper Winterman smoothly uses a spotlight to draw focus to the primary location during scene transitions. A montage of time passing by is brought to life by lighting conveying the rising and setting sun, in conjunction with some swift costume changes.

This is a thought-provoking piece, which raises positive questions about how we might react to and/or hope to be received by those we share our lives with, should we experience any form of uncomfortable but necessary self-questioning.

You can read more about this show in our recent interview here.

Written by Lisa Falb and Felix Smole
Directed by Megan Farquhar
Lead Technician: Juniper Winterman
Intimacy Coordinator: Emma Brodley
Presented by Skint Productions

The Space Between has completed its current run at Camden Fringe.