Review: BEGINNING, Ambassadors Theatre

What do you do when you meet someone wo completely knocks you off your equilibrium, causing you to challenge everything you once thought to be true? When your life direction is on the toss of the coin, do you fight or flee? Following its hugely successful premiere at the National Theatre, Beginning transfers to the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited run.

It's an examination of intimacy and co-dependency, and is arguably the most truthful portrayal of a love story you'll ever see. The play delicately reveals how, after a chance encounter, two individuals meet, debate, argue, laugh and learn about themselves.

Eldridge has a particular skill in the way he creates narrative. His writing entices, making you want to linger in the moment, however he avoids any self-indulgence by immediately pulling the audience away from that particular theme, and transports them onto the next equally appealing construct.

Fly Davis's design is impeccably detailed, and is just one of the marvellous touches involved in the creation of Polly Findlay's eclectic production. Findlay's direction is superb in its bravery; there are moments of choreographed silence that are utterly intense and brought to life fantastically by the two actors, Justine Mitchell and Sam Troughton.

Every bit of eye contact between them is weighted, and each fidget of the wrist means something new. The chemistry between the pair is extraordinary; their constant state of synchronicity makes for a thrilling two-hour performance.

There's a lot to identify with within the show. So many moments resonate with situations from my own personal experience, and I think it's fair to say that a lot of people will have the same reaction. You leave the production feeling deeply moved, and also somewhat reassured by all of the decisions you've ever made.

The first thing I did this morning was purchase the play text, and since doing so, I've already read it once. I have a feeling it'll be one that I keep coming back to.

Beginning at the Ambassadors Theatre until 24 March

Photo credit: Johan Persson