CityLife

The Dreadful Hours

The Dreadful Hours
Royal Exchange Studio
March 3, 2010

Wry, closely-observed and somewhat off the wall, this unfolding of a young couple’s relationship is packed with original and arresting ideas.

It comes from Liverpool-based Tmesis Theatre, who have been carving out something of a reputation for innovation since they were founded eight years ago. 

Centre stage is a white painted table, set for dinner, with a couple chairs. On the wall, some distance behind, is a series of random mirrors.

Yorgos Karamalegos and company founder Elinor Randle – with the help of some witty and sharply-barbed words from playwright Chris Fittock – set about exploring what happens after boy gets girl.

They meet when they spot each other across the cliché crowded room and joy ensues – but time passes and their love gradually evaporates.

Centered, unenthusiastically, around a succession of anniversary meals, the couple re-enact scenes from their broken romance. 

He is stubborn, she nags. His Greek mix-ups with English grammar, appealing at first, soon have her bossily correcting him. She gets drunk to hide her unhappiness, his dreams of expanding his company abroad are dashed.

It’s a sad but always amusing little piece, all the more poignant because both performers are highly likeable – though she does tend to be a bit of a bitch - and you really do wish they could hit it off. 

The presentation is part word-based, part physical action, backed by a soundtrack of evergreen standards. Sharply directed by Javier Marzan it makes an excellent opener for the new Studio season.

Until March 6, 2010. Royal Exchange Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester. Thurs 2.30/7.30; Fri 7.30; Sat 8pm. Tickets £9.50 and concessions. Box office 0160 833 9833 or royalexchange.co.uk/studio.