Review: Constellations

Hey readers!

It's time for my review of Constellations. 

"One evening, Roland and Marianne attend a barbecue. He’s a beekeeper, while she’s a cosmologist, gazing at the stars in the hopes of planning her future through multiple universes. Together, Roland and Marianne hit it off, but as the topic of infidelity bubbles to the surface, the pair break up. They’ve got every possible future stretching out in front of them, with each possibility changing up their relationship. Throughout the play, they meet each other in unexpected situations, with Roland at Marianne’s side in her final days."

I have seen Constellations twice before; once on Broadway, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson, and the other time during its UK Tour, starring Joe Armstrong and Louise Brealey. At the time of these performances, all of the aforementioned actors were in their mid-30s. By contrast, the two actors that I witnessed playing these same characters in this production (Peter Capaldi and Zoë Wannamaker) are almost twice the age of their predecessors. It was really interesting to see a new take on the play, and the way in which this has impacted the story. In spite of the script being kept the same, the entire narrative felt as if it were somehow different. At the heart of the play is a love story, and this new perspective adds an entirely new layer; it teaches us that it is never too late to find love. This creates a new dynamic between the couple, and one which is arguably more endearing than if they had been in their mid-30s. In relation to the writing itself, Constellations is a fascinating concept. The play explores the idea of a multiverse, which is defined as being "a hypothetical collection of potentially diverse observable universes". It is fundamentally the notion that every decision we make creates its own timeline, whilst a different timeline where another decision has been made will exist simultaneously. It's an intriguing idea, and one which could very well have some truth to it. We as humans often think 'what if?', and this play is the living embodiment of those thoughts. It's compelling to watch, and will certainly cause you to have those thoughts of your own. 

During the course of the play's stint in the West End, four different pairs of performers will assume these roles. As previously mentioned however, the actors that I had the pleasure of watching were Peter Capaldi, as Roland, and Zoë Wannamaker, as Marianne. Capaldi is a veteran actor, and is making his grand return to the stage after a 9-year hiatus. He was extremely versatile in the role, doing well to provide comedic relief, as well as portraying the character's more serious side. Capaldi has a captivating stage presence, and is full of charisma from start to finish. Zoë Wannamaker is also excellent, providing a well-rounded portrayal. Her performance was particularly strong in the play's final few scenes, during which the character battles a brain tumour. She really captured the character's vulnerability in these moments, making it impossible not to sympathise with her plight. The actors shared a good chemistry with one another, and their relationship felt very believable. I found myself rooting for them to succeed as a couple, and this was largely as a result of their terrific performances.

Now for my final verdict on Constellations. I give Constellations...

Constellations is a thought-provoking play, and one which really immerses you in the world of the characters. Beyond this, the performances of both Capaldi and Wannamaker are well and truly remarkable.

Think it should have got a higher rating? Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.

Thanks for reading!

-The Basic Theatre Reviewer