The Unexpected Man: A very satisfying play

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The Unexpected Man is an intimate play by Tony award-winning playwright Yazmina Reza.

Two characters find themselves opposite each other in a train compartment: a world-famous playwright, Paul Parskey (played by Shaun Acker), and Martha (Zanne Soloman), who happens to be his biggest fan. While constantly and evenly rotating through 360° so that the audience can see the front of each character in turn, Parskey and Martha fantasise about each other’s life, but simply cannot get themselves to start a conversation with the other person.

Martha relates completely to the characters in Parskey’s books and, in fact, to a great extent lives through these characters, since her personal life does not always go according to the fairy tales. She happens to be carrying with her a copy of his latest novel, The Unexpected Man, but for most of the journey wonders whether it would be appropriate to take it of out of her handbag and read it in front of its creator. At the same time, Parskey is intrigued by this mysterious woman opposite him. When he eventually finds a way to speak to her, the build-up to this moment has been immense, but it almost feels as if Martha does not quite realise the greatness of the moment. Perhaps this was a choice of the actor.

There were moments which dragged slightly, which may have required slightly more energy shifts, or perhaps it is simply the way the text is written. Nevertheless, wonderful energy between Acker and Soloman, with immense focus and flowing dialogue.

A very satisfying play, which will let your imagination wander to wonderful possibilities.

The Unexpected Man is currently on at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. There are performances 3, 4, 6 and 7 July at different times. The performance on 7 July is half-price. Book through Computicket.

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