A History of Falling Things Ensemble Theatre

A HISTORY OF FALLING THINGS ENSEMBLE THEATRE JULY 2016 Heartwarming , enchanting and quirky this is the latest wonderful production as part of the Ensemble 2016 season. It is directed by Nicole Buffoni with a deft, sure touch. Written in 2009 this is the Australian premiere of this play . Designer Anna Gardiner has concocted a light, bright flexible set fairly simple with steps/ramps either side, a single bed, and a projection space as well .One side of the space is Robin’s house the other Jacqui’s . The projections by Tim Hope are much fun.Jacqui and Robin meet online and then slowly move to the next level – talking via webcam – because neither can leave their homes because of the mortal fear of something falling from above and hitting them.( It’s called Keraunothnetophobia ). As Jacqui ,Sophie Henser is luminous , in a sweetly captivating performance. Young and pretty she is trapped at home by her phobia. We learn that she wants to be well and ‘ back to normal’ and she courageously confronts her fears. Robin however ( as played by terribly handsome Eric Beecroft , blessed with matinee idol good looks) while trying hard is far more affected by his phobia. A shy ,nerdy children’s book author, he spends most of his day hiding under the table . Beecroft delicately balances his vulnerability and charm with a light touch. The chemistry between them is heart warming and while they are fighting their own internal phobias, they acknowledge and are understanding of each other’s problems too and encourage and supportively spur each other on. Both have monologues as to how the phobia began for them ( Jacqui her nightmares after being trapped on the Tube in the London bombings of 7/7 , Robin from a little boy being hit on the head by an unexplained shoe falling from the sky.) Robin has a monologue cataloguing various odd events where things have fallen from the sky ( fish , cows, frogs ,blood for example) yet in a neat ironic twist he isn’t superstitious about opening an umbrella indoors . We follow Jacqui and Robin as they have awkward first meetings , nervous easy miscommunications and several embarrassed tongue-tied moments, but what becomes obvious is their connectedness . We also meet their concerned parents – Jacqui’s supportive, lonely dad Reece, whose wife walked out on him, in a delightfully warm finely nuanced performance by Brian Meegan and stressed but caring Lesley ,Robin’s widowed mother who looks after him, wonderfully played by Merridy Eastman. At one point there is a scene between Jacqui and Lesley . Courier guy Jimmy as played by Sam O’Sullivan at first delivers cards, books etc between Jacqui and Robin and ends up acting as Cupid. Can Jacqui and Robin conquer their fears ? Will love conquer all ? You will have to see the show to find out. A warm , wonderful gently humorous and ultimately moving play about conquering phobias and venturing outside of your comfort zone . Thoroughly recommended Running time – 90 mins (roughly) no interval A History of Falling Things runs at the Ensemble Theatre July 7 - 20 August 2016 PLAYWRIGHT: JAMES GRAHAM DIRECTOR: NICOLE BUFFONI DESIGNER: ANNA GARDINER LIGHTING DESIGNER: CHRISTOPHER PAGE A/V DESIGNER: TIM HOPE WARDROBE: RENATA BESLIK ROBIN Eric Beecroft Jacqui Sophie Henser Reece Brian Meegan Lesley Merridy Eastman Jimmy Sam O’Sullivan