★★★
Agree to Disagree’s new play concerns Janusz, a PhD student trying to write about 17th Century Polish history, whilst social media, his mum and an unfolding crush constantly distract him. Robert Litwin carries the play, with a committed and engaging performance. He feels like a real person, and creates an immediacy rarely achieved on the stage.
Unfortunately, I found Donna Soto-Morettini’s writing predictable and repetitive, the whole thing felt like it was being played out in a very safe way. Was this because the basis for the play was from Gogol’s writings?
Michael Stephen’s direction was more inspired, he managed to use a spartan stage to great affect, and to produce a real emotional depth from Litwin; the moments where Litwin spoke to his mother grounded the whole thing. The lighting, musical choices and projections added a dimension that held interest but never dwarfing out the powerhouse central performance.
Things To Do In Mull certainly shows our over-reliance on social media, and its alienating affect, but it didn’t provide any answers, perhaps not only the role theatre has to play, but it didn’t leave me searching for any answers either.
Things To Do In Mull was at The Space as part of The Edinburgh Fringe.
