CONTRACTIONS | STAGE REVIEW
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Thurs Mar 6
I’m struggling.
Sitting down to write this review I am wracking my brain, trying to find some way to describe Mike Barlett’s new play Contractions without spoiling it.
I will say now that it is downright fantastic, I was stunned what a small crew could do in the space of just an hour, but I’m now navigating a narrow path between getting across what I loved about it and writing out every great line (which was pretty much all of them).
I’ll start with the basic premise, it seems a pretty safe place to start.
Contractions is a one act play that revolves around office worker Emma, as she is repeatability called into her managers office, over the space of several months. The polite and professional Emma is being drag back by her manager to ‘chat’ about her relationship with colleague Darren.
These conversations start out with a great dose of humour. The dialogue is nothing short of perfect with its plethora of great one liners, witty remarks and acute timing. During these ‘chats’ Emma attempts to keep her private life private but, as the company she works for meddles in her and Darren’s relationship, things start to go wrong.
In between each scene there is complete darkness and a mechanical churning sound blasts out on the audience – getting increasingly intense as the play goes on. It’s an unnerving noise that keeps a dark undertone throughout the production, but it still doesn’t prepare you for the sharp change is tone when everything starts to turn sour.
The twist in Contractions is the theatrical equivalent of swimming in calm waters and suddenly being dragged into a terrifying whirlpool of moral dilemma. It was a perfectly executed change of pace and the first, but not only, time my jaw dropped.
It wasn’t just Bartlett’s writing that I was impressed with, however, but quite frankly everything.
The cast of two were outstanding: BAFTA Cymru award-winning actress Sara Lloyd-Gregory created a likable and relatable Emma, and did a great job keeping her believable in the more extreme parts of the plot. Alongside her Catrin Arron portrayed a magnificent Manager – coming off as both funny and the chilling epitome of ‘business -like’.
The stylishly simple set, costumes, lighting and sound were to-the-point and avoided pretension, and the direction came across as well thought through and tight.
Nothing in Contractions is unnecessary, and nothing is wasted. Only an hour long it didn’t try to make itself grander, longer or more flashy. It was simply a great exploration of how the world of business forces the personal lives of those within it to bend and mould, whilst itself refusing to budge from procedure – even when faced with moral decisions that should be straight forward.
It is also a great PSA for the phrase “don’t dip your pen in the company ink”, but not for the reasons you might think.
Both hilarious and harrowing I would certainly recommend Contractions to anyone thinking of seeing something good. I was also recommended it anyone whether they want to go to the theatre or not!
words HEATHER ARNOLD photo KIRSTEN MCTERNAN
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, until Tue 15 Mar, 8pm (also 2.30pm on Tue 15 Apr). Tickets: £14/£12 conc. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org