REVIEW: SENSE & COMPATIBILITY by SchlautladyINK at Etcetera Theatre 11 – 12 Aug & Lion & Unicorn Theatre 14 – 15 Aug / Camden Fringe
‘… page-turning intrigue, and as many plot twists as a thriller with a neat reversal at the end’ ★★★ ½
The show’s title is so similar to Sense & Sensibility that it would be easy to confuse them. However, although equally engaging, Jane Austin it is not! I don’t recall any sex role play in the 1811 novel, or at least not overtly.
Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to give away the plot of Sense & Compatibility because it would spoil the surprises. It unfurls one leaf at a time, with page-turning intrigue, and as many plot twists as a thriller with a neat reversal at the end.
The script is well-crafted and benefits from an outstanding and totally committed performance from Sarah Tiplady. Here was an actor who moved between role playing (showing versatility as she played several different personas) to being her own character, a woman, both sensitive and tender. Nina Schlautmann was a suitable contrast in character, more controlled and inhibited, important for the plot. However, the depth of the stakes could be allowed to show through the cool surface from time to time with much more intensity.
The writing also allowed for plenty of humour but this didn’t always land. The story wasn’t being played for laughs, but the potential is there in the script to allow the humour to shine through more, which would have elevated the experience for the audience.
Overall, it’s almost as outrageous and satisfying as the BBC comedy drama Fleabag. There’s a subtext throughout the drama, and it isn’t until the end that we are privy to exactly what that is, and at that stage everything that has gone before becomes clear. We understand the reasons for the bizarre behaviour. It is so very nearly, great theatre.
Sense and Compatibility by schlautladyINK
Etcetera Theatre 11 – 12 August 11.30am
Lion and unicorn Theatre 14 -15 August 8.30pm
https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/sense-compatibility/
Reviewed by Heather Jeffery
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