Written by Richard Watson
What if, in order to help you focus on what really matters, a new law was passed prohibiting everyone from speaking more than 140 words a day?
That’s what happens to young couple Bernadette and Oliver in Sam Steiner’s masterful stage show “Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons.”
Huddersfield Thespians bring this contemporary and topical play to the Lawrence Batley Theater from 18-21 October.
She’s a lawyer who gets paid to talk, he’s a musician who gets paid to play – in a world of noise bans and insignificant chatter.
But what do you consider important, or unimportant? Bernadette and Oliver find themselves with only a few words left at the end of each day – what should they use them to say?
What would you say in just 140 words a day? When do you use it? Where will you be? Can you even handle only 140? Do you allow for exceptions, so people can use more words – for whom? What’s really worth saying anyway?
These questions and more are explored in this bold, sweet, sweet, and funny rom-com about what we say, how we say it, and what happens when we can’t say anything anymore.
As for the cast of this production, the Thespians are delighted to welcome two new faces, in a play that has barely any set and no props (!)
Duncan Stewart plays Oliver, a musician who has been protesting against the new “code of silence” for months. Lucy Farrar plays lawyer Bernadette, who tries to adapt to what she knows is “bad law”, even when it derails her life.
“Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons” began as a fringe play in 2015, before getting a revival and a professional tour in the West End earlier this year. This production starred Jenna Coleman and Aidan Turner as Bernadette and Oliver.
Alex Watkins returns to the director’s chair following Thespians’ sci-fi offering Dark Sublime, which audiences enjoyed at the Lawrence Batley Theater in February last year.
“I was drawn to Lemons because of his innovative and playful use of language,” he said. “There is a wonderful contrast between the natural, flowing dialogue between the couple when they first meet and the studied, stilted dialogue they are forced to adopt.
“There are so many layers of meaning that we can find and build with this script, and I’m lucky to be working with two amazing actors who also love this kind of work.
“Even among the big ideas, these characters are so real and relatable. We may not always like them or agree with them, but I always believe in them and I think the audience will too.”
Why so many lemons? Well, you’ll just have to come and see…
“Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons” runs from Wednesday, October 18 to Saturday, October 21 at the Lawrence Batley Theatre. 7.15pm plus 2pm on Saturday.
Tickets are £15 and can be booked here
Main image by: David Wright
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