Review: Honestly, The Space

We all lie. Well, except for us reviewers – we’re always completely honest. We’d never slip a little white lie into a review just to avoid saying something was truly awful, or maybe sugar coat a little criticism of a performer who might not have been up the standards of others. But the lies we all tell pale in comparison to those told by Chloe (Shona Maule), a person who takes her falsehoods and fantasies to Walter Mitty levels, making it impossible to really know what, if anything, she says is in fact truthful. The problem for her though is she’s now in custody faced with a rather long list of charges. And it’s down to her case worker Emma (Robbie Bellekom) to delve into Chloe’s story to prepare a report for the court case. But how can she give a true picture when she cannot work out what is real or not?

Honestly begins very much as if the audience are there to judge Chloe, in the same way that Emma is there to do. The big question is, why does Chloe behave this way? Is it to trick people for dishonest reasons, or is it something more deeply rooted within her personality and mental state of mind? As the pair go through the sessions, the play cleverly transitions, and our gaze moves more towards Emma, pondering whether she is equally as dishonest, especially to herself. Because we all lie, it’s just that some lies are more socially acceptable, allowing us to fit within societal norms: otherwise, why would we all answer “I’m fine” when asked how we are, even if we’re not?

It’s this back and forth between Chloe and Emma that forms the core of Honestly, and it’s fascinating to watch them spar over what is truthful, and whether we wouldn’t all be better off living in a bit of fantasyland, spending our lives in a way that makes them more enjoyable. These scenes are then interspersed with flashbacks to Chloe as a multitude of the characters she has been in her life; perfume saleswoman, tour guide, au pair, schoolgirl – the latter multiple times, each time just under a different name. Or we watch Emma outside of work, stressing over her job and her life, debating on whether it is she or Chloe that is the real liar, going through life pretending to be happy. It’s Maule’s performance as Chloe that steals the scenes, clearly relishing the freedom to be anyone she wishes and really playing them to the full for each of their brief moments in the light. But Bellekom acts as a perfect foil to allow her such freedom.

Antony Bellekom, doubling up as writer and director, allows (mostly) for seamless scene changes with the clever split stage; clinical white on one side for the interview sessions, colourful on the other for life outside of the custody room. It means scenes bleed into each another as either Chloe or Emma simply steps aside and the other remains, often joined by Laura Turner as Chloe’s head teacher or Emma’s friend to confide in. It only briefly stumbles in scenes when the simple white interview desk is flipped on its side to become a wine bar table: it’s a strange decision as it kills the otherwise faultless flow, creating an awkward pause whilst actors rearrange tables and chairs.

Honestly is a fascinating show, shining a light on all the lies we tell just to get through each day unscathed. Intriguingly, it leaves the ending open for us to wonder whether it’s Chloe or Emma who is the true liar in life.

Written and directed by Antony Bellekom
Technical direction by David Imrie
Produced by Dogwood Productions

Honestly plays at The Space until Sunday 28 September, and tours until Sunday 12 October.