IN THE CONTINUUM. To 13 August.

Edinburgh

IN THE CONTINUUM
by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter

Traverse Theatre (Traverse 2) To 13 August 2006
Tue-Sun Various Times
Runs 1hr 40min No interval
Review: Timothy Ramsden 13 August

Tough topic, zingingly performed.
This American production deals with HIV, from a women's perspective. From 2 women's perspectives, Zimbabwean newsreader Abigail and Californian Nia. Abigail's prominent enough to suffer the sort of worries many people could manage before she learns the terrible knowledge, while for Nia her relationship with a far wealthier man has brought her infection.

So both have to live with the knowledge of death being potentially more imminent than their youth would otherwise suggest. And both face the choice of telling - or not - their social circle how they came by the virus.

Though both author/performers play minor roles, the piece relies a lot on monologues, whether interior or addressed to imagined listeners. The speed of events doesn't always allow the circumstances of each speech to be firmly established, though the impact of its content certainly comes over clearly. Both performances are acute, precise and involving.

Yet it remains debatable whether the emotional response these fast-driving events provide as the play progresses is the best way to deal with the subject. Does acting that's so life-affirming increase or offset the sombreness of the matter? Are we so involved in the individuals that wider issues become clouded?

Though the manner of handling HIV may be in quesiton, the illumination of the extra responsibility felt by women in talking about the situation is vivid. As both rehearse the way they intend making their announcement to their social circle (one at a child's birthday party), the lights flood-up to full intensity, covering the theatre. Normally, this would embarrass the audience. Here, it expresses the characters' exposure as their carefully-prepared words melt away under the glare of social attention, increasing the focus play's on individuals' dilemmas.

Abigail: Danai Gurira
Nia: Nikkole Salter

Director: Robert O'Hara
Lighting: Colin D Young
Sound: Lindsay Jones
Costume: Sarah Hillard
Assistant director: Gus Dankowski

2006-08-14 14:50:44