Grace and Eli should obviously be together. Within a few minutes of THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME. beginning, that’s the impression audiences have about its two characters. Over the next hour, we’ll learn it’s not quite as easy as that.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME. is a high-concept, non-linear play exploring the creative process through the relationship between Eli and Grace. The pair, assumed to be in their early twenties, have known each other since school and remained “friends” or “close” – depending on which you ask – through hard times, high points, occasional trysts, and relationships with other people. Now the ‘real’ Grace is writing a play, and struggling with how to tell their story.
In just over an hour, both characters are impressively fleshed out and endearing, rich performances from both actors bringing them to life. The concept is ambitious – we jump between timelines, some of them meta as the pair discuss scenes we’ve just witnessed or disagree about how to portray elements of their relationship. For the most part, the play meets its ambition, although it is busy at times and a few of the more on-the-nose emotional climaxes jar slightly with the self-aware and lightly comedic tone elsewhere. Ultimately, though, both the central love story and the wider questions raised about communication, storytelling and interpretation are compelling, and brought to life by a pair of magnetic performances.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME., Summerhall, until 24 Aug (not 11, 18), 3.20pm