What I liked
Aidhan Astrachan is a standout as Will, an idiosyncratic, brooding young adult still reeling from his breakup with Gabriela Raven’s fiery, opinionated, and equally heartbroken Morgan. Their conflicts in particular incubate a larger conversation about the nature of utopia –– whether it’s real, how we might create one, if it’s even desirable. The way his character is written just spoke to my soul. He’s hilariously scatterbrained, deeply passionate, and so concerned about misstepping that he frequently opts for feigned detachment over intense emotionality. I LOVED his dynamic with Morgan. Their mutual, unspoken heartbreak, punctuated by his repeated failures to adequately communicate his feelings, was soo compelling to watch.
Logan Smell’s Sawyer is a heartfelt and fully realized townie with a delightfully complex inner world. He navigates turns from slapstick comedy to profound sorrow with grace.
I also thought the ocean soundscape, subdued lighting, and simple set design served the piece very well, creating a simple and effective aesthetic.
What I didn't like
Need more people talking about this show!!!
My overall impression
I adored this piece and immediately wanted to get my hands on the script as a reader, an actor, and a fan.
Brilliantly written and brilliantly acted, Slack Tide follows a foursome of old friends tackling the transition from school into early adulthood. The show is rife with layered moments of satisfying subtext, compelling group dynamics, and beautifully written ethical and societal debates. The writing itself merits own tome of praise. Matso has woven heated debate over the heaviest and most pressing questions facing young people into a fun-to-watch relationship drama. And the faux intertextuality of the piece speaks to its sophistication –– a whole segment of the plot is devoted to discussion of The Elysian, a novel that is an invention of the playwright’s and which is brought to life through meticulous and laudable prop design.
