The Americas, A Theatre Company, are currently putting on a production of Neil LaBute’s IF I NEEDED SOMEONE. This is a biting, edgy story of two people coming together for the first time in an endeavour to manoeuvre their way through the complicated and messy communication of today’s dating scene. The play, expertly directed by Kai Paynter, draws out the conflict of every move the two characters make and has the audience willing each character to see the other’s perspective and yet feeling the frustration of misunderstandings and distrust between them.
The play follows Jules, Kai Paynter, and Jim, Joshua Long, over one evening when Jules has invited Jim back to her apartment after a party. As soon as they enter the apartment, a rather drunk Jules beings to set the rules for the evening to ensure there are no misunderstandings – Jim can stay, but only for a while, and not overnight.
The complexities of modern relationships quickly become apparent as there is an attraction but how do they avoid saying the wrong thing, what topics are OK to discuss and what is out of bounds, and what is acceptable and welcome behaviour and what is not. There is a great connection between the two excellent actors as they parry back and forth varying from sparks of attraction to fear and confusion about meanings. As Jim says of Jules, she has a real edge to her and we slowly learn a little of her background explaining some of the mistrust she has of men. Jim finds this difficult to negotiate as he says it is not all men and finds her arguments inconsistent.
The play focuses on male/female relationships, as is common with LaBute, with this is set in the post MeToo arena with some added twists and turns for our characters to attempt to negotiate. The number of times Jim says he is leaving, but doesn’t, can be a little frustrating as Jules pulls him back into her orbit, yet this is all part of the desire to know each other better but the fear of trusting too much.
The set is Jules rather messy bedroom with lots music albums strewn on the floor. The centre piece is a bed which has a strict no-go zone for Jim so the actors dance around this bed sitting on it occasionally, either together or apart, in a similar way to moving in their slowly developing relationship.
For an engrossing night exploring the mixed messages and questions about how does one form a relationship while negotiating the knife edge of words and deeds, make sure you get to this show.
Neil LaBute’s IF I NEEDED SOMEONE is playing the Living Room, Hustle Studios, Surrey Hills, till Sunday 7 December.
Photographer: Christopher Kakoliris
