Nick Payne Archives - North West End UK

Constellations & The Sociable Plover – Frinton Summer Theatre

31Jul

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

South East

Constellations & The Sociable Plover – Frinton Summer Theatre

Double billings at Frinton Summer Theatre are rare, so it is a real treat to watch two plays in one evening. Forget about ‘shrinkflation’, this really is a case of getting two for the price of one – such is the quality and innovation of these plays which would usually be more at home in a London fringe theatre. ‘The Sociable Plover’ by Tim Whitnall is a dark - very dark – comedy drama, with a twist. The action is centred in a bird hide. Roy Tunt (Christopher Howell) is a keen birdwatcher (twitcher) on a mission to sight the Sociable Plover, the last on his list before ornithological fame awaits him in the record books. Dave John (Jon Scott Clark) is a besuited thug who looks like he means trouble – and he has the attitude to boot. In an awkward, and often funny exchange, the pair’s char...

2May

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Constellations – Drayton Arms Theatre

In the extremely intimate space of The Drayton Arms Theatre, Burnt Orange Theatre Company presents Nick Payne's ‘Constellations’ under the masterful direction and production of Rosie Thomas. The play delves into the intricate tapestry of human relationships through the stories of string theorist Marianne and beekeeper Roland, in a way that defies theatrical norms, intertwining multiple alternate narratives and exploring the complexities of love through the lens of quantum physics. Sounds complex, but through this beautiful and heartwarming production, audiences are swept into the lives of various characters as they navigate forwards, backwards and sideways, the vast expanse of human emotions, from profound love to heartbreaking loss. ‘Constellations’ is a truly exceptional piece of ...

Constellations – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

2Feb

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Constellations – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

The idea of a multiverse of alternate realities, each offering slightly different versions of our existence has become a very familiar trope in film and theatre. The Marvel Studios blockbuster superhero capers are the most successful recent iteration of this oeuvre, but classic movies (It's a Wonderful Life, A Matter of Life and Death), comedies (Back to the Future, Groundhog Day) and less auspicious examples (I'm looking at you 'Sliding Doors'), all play with the idea of how small decisions in life can change outcomes in a big way. In 2012, writer Nick Payne took the premise of a chance meeting of a Beekeeper and a String Theory scientist at a barbecue and created 'Constellations' for the Royal Court Theatre. Weaving a fantastical tale of 'if', 'but' and 'maybe' which is both hilarious...

25Nov

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

London

Constellations – Donmar Warehouse

“We’ve effectively asked the same question twice and come up with two completely different answers” says Marianne… and there, in a nutshell, is the essence of this beautiful play by Nick Payne. Constellations tells the journey of a relationship, but it is not told in order from start to finish. Instead, you see multiple possibilities for each conversation as the story unfolds, highlighting the various key points as Roland and Marianne meet and fall in love. Along the way it makes you question life’s purpose, and the control you think you have over your own situation. The writing is clever, and full of nuance; fully realised by the careful direction of Michael Longhurst. It would be easy for a production like this to become repetitive and slow, but the cast and creative teams have wor...