My overall impression
I couldn’t see what was written on the stage, I couldn’t see what Jeff was doing since I was sitting on the steps, I couldn’t always tell what their pantomiming indicated, but none of that mattered to me. The actors definitely did their research and had chemistry with the story and each other! Their back and forth dialogue was well-crafted and relatable and there was always a story behind the words in their eyes. In regards to their movements, yes it was very precise and purposeful, but I would say that a few times it felt deliberate (pacing back and forth, transitioning sometimes). I thought the story leading up to the end of their friendship and future selves was very gradual and not forced; the future Harry and Sam, I felt, had a gentle yet apparent presence and did not scream for attention. That being said, their spatial relationship to each other held purpose, in the sense that they did acknowledge each other on stage, so that when the future Harry and Sam finally stepped over the chalk line, it held so much meaning and change in the air.
I really felt for the characters’ loneliness and struggle. Seeing their future selves made me want to fight against what I knew was going to happen.
Great work, actors, crew, Matt and Eriko!!! I felt naked, just like you promised!
