Review - Constellations - People's Theatre

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Constellations 

People's Theatre

13th May, 2024

Written by Nick Payne

Directed by Jess Chapman

The People's Theatre never fail to astonish with their programme choices.  After the success of April's family classic Dad's Army, on the main stage, this week they have adroitly somersaulted into an esoteric two man (well, two woman, actually) play in the studio.  

Constellations is a love story, but it is by no means a straight forward romance. On one level it is simply the tale of two people who meet and fall in love, some of their affair goes well, and some of it doesn't. And it is possible to take it simply as that, and it is a satisfying love story. But there is so much more to this play than a romantic tale. It is complicated and cerebral. After all, how many love stories have you come across tht are based on quantum physics? Much like Robyn, a lot of the science went over my head! But I grasped enough to understand the idea that there could be many universes, all parallel and all possible, and within them is the story of two two people who meet and fall in love - and depending on the universe, the path of true love runs smooth, or not so smooth. But essentially the ending is the same. 

That all sounds very vague, and a bit confusing - and perhaps it is, but to say more would be to give away too much about this fascinating exploration of life and love. And life and love can be confusing, intentions can be misconstrued. Our perceptions send us down different paths, and lead us to different, sometimes erroneous conclusions. They can spark love, passion, jealousy or compassion. Our actions and reactions to a situation affect the path our lives and loves take, and in Constellations we see over and over how this can be for Marianne and Robyn. 

Ellie Pullen and Cat White give astonishing performances. They switch from universe to universe with a shrug, a glance, a straightening of the back, as their characters react to each other in each iteration of their lives. It is fascinating to watch. And though the science may be above our heads, the emotion is not. The playing out of these two women's lives, their relationship, their hopes, fears, passions, their joy and their sadness, is mesmerising to watch. 

Cleverly directed, and simply but beautifully staged, I left the theatre feeling I had glimpsed the stars and been shown the vast possibilities of the universe: how small we seem in comparison.

Constellations runs until 18th May. It's a studio production so seats are limited - you should book yours now to see a play that will fill you with wonder. I can't promise that it will all make sense, but it will make you think and it will make definitely make you smile. It may make you shed a tear. 

*Photo credit: Paul Hood

Denise Sparrowhawk