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An emotionally resonant production with an abundance of heart.Summary
Rating
Excellent
Kimberly Taylor and Aaron Devine’s Strings depicts the whirlwind romance of Sophia (Taylor) and Alex (Devine), two strangers who meet by chance at a mutual friend’s party. As their relationship deepens and their lives grow evermore intertwined, this love story follows the highs of romance and connection, and the lows that cause cracks to begin to form. From struggles with mental health, to grief, to childhood trauma, this couple experiences a myriad of events together in a series of fast-paced scenes and monologues, creating a tapestry of life and exploring the complexities of love.
The Lion and Unicorn theatre provides a perfect, close quarters playing space for this performance. The simple set features a living room bordered by string (a wonderful detail that did not go unnoticed), letters, postcards, plane tickets and other milestone documents hanging from the ceiling, along with an unmarked space for monologue-style audience addresses to take place. The space is used in its entirety throughout the performance, providing the audience with a window into the couple’s lives together in their home, as well as allowing for a more intimate demonstration of their innermost thoughts and feelings when they step out of their living space and into neutral territory.
Props are used to create a worn and well-loved environment and are incorporated appropriately so as to not overshadow the relatively bare space, instead elevating it. Accompanying this is the simplistic lighting design, differentiating the home from the space used by the characters to present their individual perspectives. This allows the audience to follow the narrative with ease.
Throughout the performance, the audience develop a speedy empathy with both Sophia and Alex respectively, due to Taylor and Devine’s nuanced and precise portrayals. As co-writers of this play, the understanding of who these characters are and what they mean to each other is not only clear, but admirable. Taylor presents Sophia as headstrong, passionate and endearingly open. This is paired delightfully by Devine’s Alex, a pragmatic, more stoic individual, who over time grows vulnerable as life takes its toll. The individual contributions of Taylor and Devine are fresh and specific; yet it is together that these two truly shine. The chemistry between these performers is undeniable and exciting, quickly becoming the backbone of this production.
However, their acting ability is not their only strong suit. As collaborative playwrights, Taylor and Devine have demonstrated tremendous skill and capability. This play tackles a plethora of themes, and each are treated with care, resonating emotionally with the audience. Although encountering some slightly clichéd phrasing from time to time, the writing has a timeless feel and remains consistent throughout.
Detailed, intimate, heartbreaking and disarmingly real, Strings is a must-see play with an abundance of heart which will have you pondering over the love you feel for those in your life.
Written by: Kimberly Taylor and Aaron Devine
Directed by: Tara Noonan
Assistant Direction by: Holly Demaine
Production Company: Sláinte! Theatre
Produced by: Iona Bremner
Strings is playing at Lion and Unicorn theatre until 28th September. Further information and booking details can be found here.
