Review: A PROFOUNDLY AFFECTIONATE, PASSIONATE DEVOTION TO SOMEONE (-NOUN), Royal Court

debbie tucker green's latest work has its premiere with an unexpected staging in the Royal Court's Upstairs space.

Directed by the playwright, three couples (played by Gary Beadle, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, Lashana Lynch, Shvorne Marks and Meera Syal) experiencing three strikingly different relationships present the ups and downs of their intimate lives, from illness and loss to the demise of burning passion and libido, bickering and deep affection. The play depicts the humanity of relationships, giving a universal account of the missteps and vulnerability born out of love and neglect.

Turning stools and a reverse in-the-round setting (a thin stage on three sides of the room with the audience placed in the middle) makes us feel more like it's the characters who are intruding with their squabbles than the contrary, but it can be slightly distracting at times. However, the absence of names and actual identification makes them highly relatable and deeply moving.

Merle Hensel's set is minimal and concise, placing focus on the performances. There are no props, just a narrow stage and a couple of benches that come out of the walls (which the actors use as blackboards to draw on with chalk throughout the whole performance, starting even before the audience has settled in).

Words, love and what they can do to people are the focus of this work of art. The combination of the interesting staging and witty, truthful dialogue creates a remarkable connection with the audience even in the straightforward 80 minutes.

There's an outstanding performance by Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, whose vulnerability throughout the show is exceptional. His portrayal is heartfelt and multi-faceted, especially when confronted with the staleness of his relationship and subsequent loss of his wife. It's his character's bond with Lynch's that holds together the narrative and the dynamics of these three compelling twosomes.

a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun) runs at the Royal Court until 1 April

Photo Credit: Osborne Devine

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