There are a few ways to take Constellations. You might be charmed by its clever themes, innovative structure, and romantic leanings. Or, you might find its use of science unconvincing and its repetitious style reminiscent of watching rehearsals for a very confusing rom-com. Both interpretations are possible and, perhaps, that's appropriate for a play about alternate realities. In Constellations, playwright Nick Payne throws together physicist Marianne and beekeeper Roland. She spends her days thinking about the size of the cosmos, while he's focussed on tiny life forms. Their relationship's trajectory is presented in a non-linear style, which marries theme and form. We see the same conversations again and again, each time with tiny differences in tone that reveal some of the many forking paths their relationship could have taken. It's all in keeping with Marianne's belief in quantum theory. Fictionalists have been grappling with quantum physics in novels, short stories and plays for decades now and, while Nick Payne is no Niels Bohr, he injects enough thought into the play to make it feel substantial. There's no mistaking his talent as a young playwright and his naturalistic dialogue is handled well by the actors, who convince in roles that demand they depict several versions of the same character throughout.
MTC to Saturday 23 March
