British playwright Nick Payne’s 2012 play CONSTELLATIONS follows Roland, a beekeeper, and Marianne, a cosmologist, through their romantic relationship.

Both characters spend a lot of time talking about their work;  at one point  Roland talks about the sex life of bees, Marianne tells him about her belief that we live in multiple universes that pull people in different directions.  Much humour is garnered from this.

Scenes are often played out and then restart and branch out in new directions. At other times Roland and Marianne jump back and forth between storylines.

The tone is light with plenty of humour stemming from the awkwardness of it all.

Quite remarkably, Payne manages to sustain the main storyline to its poetic, lyrical denouement

Director Issac Downey has just the right feel for the play as do the two actors. The intimate performance space at St Aidan’s suits the play well. The stage is bare except for a platform in the middle which is used effectively.

The play comprises something in the vicinity of fifty short scenes with shifts in lighting signifying scene changes. The lighting and sound design by Jeremy Cardew was excellent with some lovely touches.

Caitlyn Cabrie is excellent as the sensual, vivacious Marianne who is forever prevaricating and oscillating in her feelings. Tommy James Green is also excellent as the highly strung Roland who is often a sounding board for Marianne’s scattergun thoughts.

CONSTELLATIONS is one for the romantics and the every day people who believe that there is much more to our lives than we can ever comprehend.

Recommended, CONSTELLATIONS opened at the St Aidan’s Performance Space, 1 Christina Street, Longueville on Friday August 19 and is playing until Sunday August 28, 2022. Performance times are

August 20 at 7.30pm, August 21 at 2pm and then August 26, 27 at 7.30pm and August 28 at 2pm

Tickets $23, $25, $30. Bookings & information: www.lanecovetheatrecompany.com

Production photography by Jim Crew