THE SPACE BETWEEN US (Compacts)*****

 

By Dave

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM0y_T-Bet8&feature=youtu.be

Available until: Unknown

This is a really sad play but it’s so good. It’s a conversation between a father and his son. The mum has decided to leave the dad and take their little boy with her. It doesn’t say why or what’s happened, but the implication is they’re leaving for good and the dad won’t have access. It’s likely to be a very long time before they meet again.

There’s no actor playing the little boy. Jordan Bernarde speaks directly to the camera, addressing it – and the audience – as though it was his child. It’s clear from the dad’s response the kind of thing the little boy is saying. It doesn’t say exactly how old the little boy is but it seems like he’s very young. Too young for the dad to explain properly what’s happened.

Jordan Bernarde’s performance is really outstanding. The way he speaks to the camera and reacts to it creates a real connection between the actor and the audience. He speaks kindly and lovingly to his son but there’s so much emotion in his eyes. You can see what a wrench it is to say goodbye. Actually, ‘wrench’ doesn’t really cover it.

It’s a sad play but there is a bit of humour too. I’ll never think of Calippos in quite the same way again! Writer Rick Allden has created a really touching play and the words he’s written for the dad tells us a lot about both characters. It’s only ten minutes long but it has the emotional range of a much longer work.

Alun D. Pughe’s direction is subtle but striking. The camera never moves. The dad has to crouch down in order to talk to his child and be seen by the camera. Then, when the boy has gone, the picture changes to black and white, as though the colour has all gone out of his world.

I can’t remember who it was who posted the link to this play on youtube but I’m so glad they did. I really liked this play a lot. (Though it did give me the urge to hug my kids and only one of mine is still okay with that!)