One of the cultural gems of the Essex summer is the Frinton Summer Theatre, the UK’s last remaining weekly rep company. Now in its 83rd season, it offers a dynamic range of productions that defy predictability. Last week’s performance of The Winslow Boy might have been in their comfort zone, but this week’s double bill of one-act plays promises to challenge and captivate audiences.
In Tim Whitnall’s The Sociable Plover, we find ourselves in a birdwatcher’s hide, where Roy, brilliantly played by Christopher Howell, eagerly awaits the rare Sociable Plover. This bird, known for flocking with other subspecies, is the final addition to Roy’s list. His meticulous, OCD-like preparation of the hide underscores his social awkwardness and isolation, poignantly illustrated by his conversations with a framed photo of his estranged wife.
The play begins with quintessentially British elements—a shipping forecast, a packed lunch, and even a cheeky drawing on the chalkboard. But the serene setting is shattered by the arrival of Dave (Jon-Scott Clark), a stranger radiating tension. The narrative shifts into psychological territory, with strong characterizations drawing the audience in. The use of music and sound at key moments is somewhat distracting, and on opening night, occasional quietness from the actors made some lines hard to hear. Yet, the unfolding drama keeps you on the edge of your seat, with twists best experienced without prior knowledge.
While The Sociable Plover is compelling, the evening truly takes flight with Nick Payne’s one-act masterpiece, Constellations. The birdwatcher’s hide, another impressive set by Sorcha Corcoran, gives way to a minimalist design as Payne’s play explores multiverses. A beekeeper and a quantum physicist meet at a barbecue—standard rom-com fare at first glance. But the play dives into alternate realities, with scenes repeating and branching into different outcomes, flipping roles, and shifting emotions. It’s a dazzling, mind-bending experience, enhanced by Pip Thurlow’s sound and lighting design, which ebbs and flows like the nearby sea.
The actors, Hannah Traylen and Charlie Cassen, deliver stellar performances, seamlessly navigating the emotional and narrative complexities of multiple love stories across different universes. Payne’s play is profoundly moving, capturing the swift, poignant changes of life.
These two plays, connected by themes of deceptive appearances and the natural world’s intricacies, create an enthralling and thought-provoking evening at the theatre.
Written by Nick Payne, (Constellations), and Tim Whitnall, (The Sociable Plover.)
Directed by Emily Raymond, (Constellations), and Bryan Hodgson, (The Sociable Plover.)
Cast: Hannah Traylen, Charlie Cassen, (Constellations) and Christopher Howell, Jon-Scott Clark, (The Sociable Plover).
Running time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval.
Until August 03 2024