Beginning – Royal Exchange Theatre

A romantic comedy concerned with meeting and falling in love in a modern city, may conjure up images of Renee Zellweger and Meg Ryan romping through a fairytale version of New York or London in your mind’s eye. However, any expectations of ‘Bridget Jones’ or ‘When Harry Met Sally’ should be firmly set aside before watching ‘Beginning’; this production is something far more interesting and substantial to kick off 2023 at the Royal Exchange Theatre.

The premise is deceptively simple; Laura (Erin Shanagher) and Danny (Gerard Kearns) are the last couple left standing amidst the detritus of her housewarming party, initial mutual attraction is made plain from the outset but the opportunity is missed, with the jeopardy of the next two hours ‘will they or won’t they get it on’ played out in real time against a single set backdrop. Writer David Eldridge superbly evokes the reality of this awkward dance, both characters slowly shedding skins to reveal their inner motivations and feelings until they are laid bare by the conclusion. The audience is drawn in initially by the broad humour, but it is the nuance and depth which appeals more as we progress, dragging emotions from comedy to pathos on the turn of a phrase. Only the pop culture references date, with the 2015 expectation of a female US President and the ubiquity of Facebook references reminding us how quickly the world has moved on in the last eight years. By the conclusion, the opening night audience was totally invested in the budding romance, each person present bringing their own experience to develop a unique perspective on the couple, the ending left purposefully opaque to allow discussion to develop in the bar afterwards, always a sure sign that the writing has hit home.

Royal Exchange Artistic Director Bryony Shanahan helms this piece with an assured touch, utilising the claustrophobic ‘metal O’ of the performance space to allow the audience to be uninvited guests at the party. Designer TK Hay creates a set that conveys aspirational south Manchester to a tee, the relocation from the original Crouch End blending seamlessly with the revised script references to Chorlton Water Park, Fletcher Moss and ‘big houses in Sale’ delighting the Mancunian audience. Shanahan builds and releases tension constantly throughout the piece, always allowing the writing to shine, however, what makes the direction shine is what is not said; the empty silences are pregnant with meaning and as important as the dialogue in conveying intention.

In such an intense space, with only two characters onstage throughout, the performances are central to the success of the production and both Shanagher and Kearns acquit themselves splendidly. Laura is introduced as the more confident character, successful in her career, sexually assertive and ostensibly ‘has her shit together’, the traditional gender roles reversed with Danny, diffident, uncomfortable and desperately trying to get his life back on track after a bitter divorce. The initial wariness of two strangers gradually opening up to each other is brilliantly structured, the body language relaxing into familiarity is intensely naturalistic in its form and the chemistry between the actors is effortless to observe. At times we felt almost as intruders into these awkward and intensely personal moments, any tension then dissipating into glorious laughter at dancing to cheesy pop anthems and mundanely preparing fish finger butties. Only gradually do we peel back to the real people underneath, Shanagher displaying the plaintive need of Laura to connect with a family and Danny displaying an equal desire to be part of a family unit, the themes of ‘being lonely or alone’ striking a resonant note as we all adjust to post pandemic changes to socialising and meeting new people.

Whilst it is understandable to market this production as a ‘romantic comedy’, to do so does it a real disservice, it touches far more body parts than just the funny bone, it is an insightful and often powerful exploration of modern relationships.

Verdict: A superb naturalistic slice of contemporary Britain, funny, poignant and relevant.

Running until 11 March, https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/whats-on-and-tickets/beginning-2023

Reviewer: Paul Wilcox

Reviewed: 22nd February 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★