Review: THE SEA BETWEEN By Demi Leigh at Barons Court Theatre until 17 Sept 2022

'Both actors fizz and engage' ★★★

In truth, it’s a well-worn theatrical path. A man and a woman meet. They chat. They flirt. They fall in love. They get together. All is great. And then a darker side is exposed. Such is the case with Demi Leigh’s debut play in which she also co-stars in a two hander with Matthew Kay. The route that the drama then follows sways somewhat from this path - quite dramatically at times - and whilst not everything works, there is plenty to admire and enjoy here. There is also scope to expand and develop the story.

Played in the tiny but charming Baron’s Court Theatre, Ginny - cool, confident and arty - takes a break at a house-party where she encounters solicitor Mike, and they indulge in a plausibly 'modern' and sassy conversation. This quickly leads to Ginny packing up her ornaments and flowers, moving in with Mike who, up to now, has been charm personified - what can go wrong?

There are small, smart moments early on which suggest that Mike might not be the ‘nice guy’ he appears, and there is a distinctly odd sounding relationship at play with his sister Anne, which requires much to occur off-stage.

We see a relationship slowly disintegrate through vignettes highlighting key moments, driven by Mike’s under-pinning and particular kind of controlling rage. This is uncomfortable but wholly realistic, with tension building to a climax that, to be honest, disappoints (indeed, a couple sat next to me asked if the play had finished or if it was just the interval). If this all sounds very slight, well, it is in a way but there are woven layers of ideas and themes which give the show depth and heart - and further potential.

As writer and co-star, Demi Leigh takes her own life experience as a Greek migrant living through a Brexit-infused London and likens it to the mythological story of Iphigenia (‘Ginny’ - get it?) and her journey from her parent’s home to a promised marriage in Aulis. There are dream sequences, expanded and exaggerated physical movement, overtures of Gothic horror (the theatre room is dressed nicely and in tune with this), audio of flowing water and Mike looking sinister in a hoodie. These are all interesting ideas but, in reality, become repetitive and over-bearing. What we in fact need is more character development, more of the little 1-2-1 vignettes and more ‘reality’ as, to the credit of the stars, they fizz and engage in a wholly transfixing and human way. Both actors are great.

In fact, what I’d really like to see is a longer production, bringing in the character of Anne and others. This would allow Ms Leigh’s motifs to shine against more detailed character studies of Ginny and Mike. Ms Leigh is one to watch for sure.

THE SEA BETWEEN By Demi Leigh

Baron’s Court Theatre

30 August - 17 Sept 2022

https://www.baronscourttheatre.com/the-sea-between-by-demi-leigh

Reviewer:

Paul Maidment had a long career at the BBC where he ran a number of commercial / digital businesses, and he now consults to the creative content sector. His love of theatre came from his wife whom he met at university, and he has been attending shows ever since. In 2021/22 Paul was a member of The Olivier Awards public panel which re-enforced his belief in theatre as the most exciting and engrossing cultural medium.