Tuesday 27th April until Saturday 1st May 2010 @ Alma Tavern, Bristol

The Shape Of Things takes a cynical look at modern day relationships and examines the control we exert over each other and our willingness to become malleable in order to fit in and please others. Set on the tiny stage above the Alma Tavern, Neil LaBute’s play uses only four actors and one set, making imaginative and clever use of the space and sparse props.

The story begins when shy museum security guard, Adam (Matthew Romain), meets the feisty academic Evelyn (Tala Gouveia) as she is about to deface a sculpture in the name of art. She asserts that art needs to reveal truth as Adam tries to persuade her not to spray-paint a penis over the fig leaves hiding the sculptures dignity. A passionate affair between the two unlikely lovers begins and we see Adam slowly being changed from a once kind and shy geek into something society sees as more attractive. Evelyn slowly suggests he change his appearance and consequently his character, much to the horror and confusion of his two oldest friends, Jenny (Sara Lambie) and Philip (Jack Bannell). The story is set in conservative, small-town America and Evelyn plays the passionate but slightly patronising girl from out of town brilliantly.

The tale follows the four characters through their jealousy, anger, passion and betrayal – and like a slap in the face, coldly shows just how much we are willing to change ourselves in the pursuit of love. We also see the two-faced nature and manipulative element of the darker side of romance. Slowly, our trust and faith in love are eroded.

The play manages to fit a lot into its hour and a half duration and deals with the superficial elements in modern society and relationships extraordinarily well. The performances by all four actors were excellent – they were very well cast, played off each other well and were convincing in their stereotypes. While in some ways, the characters were typical, they were all believable, and the audience could easily recognise familiar relationship traits in each.

Often very funny, dark and sad, the performance was well worth watching and successfully led you to question just how much you yourself are willing to put up with for love.

www.oldvic.ac.uk

Natalie Burns