What I liked
The directing of this piece was phenomenal. Every element (acting, blocking, lighting, sound design) worked in perfect harmony to really immerse us in this world.
The script was so engaging and I enjoyed peeling back the layers of these characters and what drove them apart.
The actors were both incredible. So present and tuned in. Particularly Victoria’s arm acting was so good! It’s hard to maintain a gag like that for an entire hour and she never dropped.
What I didn't like
This was excellent, but if I were to improve it beyond its already excellent shape….
I felt both characters were already too healed and would’ve loved to see more of the flaws that eventually drove them apart, especially as the tension begins to escalate and their lives are in peril.
At times I felt we were so into the discussion of their relationship that we had lost the looming threat and it would be great if there was a way to keep that threat alive throughout the script and allow it to escalate a bit more in that middle section, adding additional external tension to their strained relationship.
I struggled a bit to understand why the lead was still stuck on how their relationship ended given how much time has passed and the fact tha they’re both married and have moved on. I guess I was craving to understand better why he had been so important to her or that he had hurt her badly. Maybe it was because they were both so healed. Had he done something worse in the past or been a bit shittier in the present it could justify why she’s still stuck on their relationship a bit more.
My overall impression
Strange Beings is a perfect Fringe show. Tight, focused, emotionally moving, with a clear why, brilliant performances, excellent writing and directing. Nicole Knudsen is a relevation as writer/director.
