Where We Are Now – Blue Room Theatre Company / Annka Kultys Gallery, London

Will a chance encounter lead to closure for Miles and Florence, or the reopening of old wounds? Where We Are Now poses this question in a short work by Blue Room Theatre Company.

Where We Are Now

In the intimate confines of the Annka Kultys Gallery, between Hoxton and Victoria Park, the Blue Room Theatre Company’s production of Where We Are Now took audiences on a journey through the complexities of past relationships and self-discovery. Starring Greta Hansen as Florence and Cal Newman as Miles, Where We Are Now delves into the lives of a former couple who unexpectedly reunite at Miles’ music store two years after their breakup. Newman also penned the script, exploring the intricacies of human emotions and the passage of time.

While the premise holds promise, the execution of the writing fell short of delivering a truly authentic experience. The characters, Florence and Miles, occasionally appeared to playing a role rather than responding as genuine individuals. This affected the spontaneity of their interactions, making it challenging to fully connect with their emotional journey and overshadowing nuances that could have added depth to their conversations. Looking back at the breakdown of a relationship is certainly not a new premise in theatre (see this or this, for instance). Perhaps the very simplicity of the plot and structure in this case prevented further development of the concept.

Hansen and Newman’s performances as Florence and Miles were commendable, with Hansen in particular showing real promise. Their chemistry evoked moments of shared history and unspoken feelings, even though the characters themselves sometimes struggled to break free from the confines of the scene. What had changed and not changed between them hinted at the complexity of their past relationship.

A Unique Setting

Central to the play’s narrative was the exploration of a once-toxic relationship. Where We Are Now delved into the darker aspects of Florence and Miles’ past, shedding light on the reasons behind their separation: addiction, infidelity, and ultimately incompatibility. While their connection was undeniably fraught with toxicity, the narrative managed to underline the importance of personal growth and moving forward. This depiction of transformation lent a sense of hopefulness to the proceedings, despite the dramatic tendencies of the script.

The choice of the Annka Kultys Gallery as the venue played an intriguing role in shaping the play’s atmosphere. The stylized setting with very simple props complemented the play’s inherent drama. The juxtaposition of the art gallery’s ambiance against the characters’ intense conversations created an interesting tension, highlighting the complex interplay between human emotions and external environments. Lengthy opening and closing scenes focusing on the characters and their breathing gave time to contemplate the setting (with Surrealist art by Horacio Quiroz), but otherwise felt like a way to extend the duration of the production.

While not without its flaws, Where We Are Now by Blue Room Theatre Company offered a thought-provoking exploration of past relationships and personal growth. The script’s reliance on stylised dialogue occasionally hindered the naturalism of the performances, but the chemistry between the lead actors and their commitment to their roles managed to bridge some of these gaps. The choice of the Annka Kultys Gallery as the venue added a layer of visual appeal to the overall experience. In the end, while ‘Where We Are Now’ may not have reached its full potential, it certainly succeeded in sparking contemplation on the complexities of human connections.

Salterton Arts Review’s rating: 3/5

Where We Are Now was a one-off performance at Annka Kultys Gallery