Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jenna Coleman (The Serpent, All My Sons) and Aidan Turner (Poldark, The Lieutenant of Inishmore) fizz and shine in this musing romantic comedy, written by Sam Steiner.
A two-hander about the value of language, the words we use and how we choose to communicate.
Fresh from the West End – playing on Manchester Opera House’s stage as part of an exclusive run – Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is a two-hander about the value of language, the words we use and how we choose to communicate.
The show focuses on a young couple, Oliver and Bernadette, who are living in a world where a gag law limits the number of words they are allowed to speak. With legislation forcing them to communicate with a word limit of just 140 words per day, the couple have to get creative to find different ways to understand and connect with each other. Under Josie Rourke’s smart and reflective directorial hand, there are some wonderfully, well-paced comic moments as the couple experiment with other modes of communication: intense eye contact, morse code and their own reduced language. Ultimately, at a time of linguistic austerity and increased tensions in their relationship, the couple have no choice but to use their words wisely to bridge the gap between them.
All sorts of thought-provoking themes are raised as language becomes a form of currency. If language was limited and valuable, how would you choose the spend your words? And who would you choose to communicate with? Furthermore, in terms of your job and home life, how would you proportion your allowance? Perhaps, more vitally, under the legislation (or due to corruption), would some people have access to more words? Timely and bold, Steiner’s script still feels startlingly relevant and political. The government in the play are intent on silencing protestors and censoring free speech – quite urgent themes considering our current climate of anti-protest laws and debates around freedom of expression; seen most recently, when Gary Lineker tweeted out against government immigration policy.
Robert Jones’ set design – of a large wall decorated with junk and clutter of everyday life – contrasts brilliantly with the increasingly restricted existence of Bernadette and Oliver. The play’s 100 fragmented scenes are punctuated by Aideen Malone’s clever lighting design – strip lights brilliantly symbolising the tally of the word count.
An intelligent and witty play about the beauty of words and the language we share with those closest to us.
Running at a neat 85 minutes with no interval, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is an intelligent and witty play about the beauty of words and the language we share with those closest to us.
-Kristy Stott
Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons runs at Manchester Opera House until 25 March 2023.