Meet Me At Dawn @ Arcola Theatre*

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tickets and more information: https://www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/meet-me-at-dawn/
Booking until: 9th November
Run time: 1 hr
Production Photographs by: Lidia Crisafulli.

Using the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice as inspiration, Zinnie Harris’ two hander Meet Me At Dawn follows Helen and Robyn who have washed up on a shore following a boating accident. As they look to find a way home, they discover that the shore is not what it seems to be.

Despite the show only being an hour long, Zinnie Harris packs enough material to keep you gripped, particularly in the much stronger second half. I felt most of the first half didn’t really know where it was going to land and it waffled on quite a bit. However, when the turning point happens, the entire atmosphere in the auditorium changes with it, incorporating the audience on the journey with them. Harris’ text is really the star of the show here and the simplicity of Murat Daltaban’s set design allows the performances to flourish even further.

Marianne Oldham and Jessica Hardwick carry the show with fantastic performances and lovely chemistry with each other. The minute details in their performances creates a relationship that has lasted years in a matter of minutes. That’s not only a testimony to the actresses but also to their director Murat Daltaban for helping shape it.

Despite a tough start up, Meet Me At Dawn is ultimately a gripping fable-eque story about love and loss and everything in between and showcases two brilliant performances.

Until next time,