Blink by Phil Porter

Plosive Productions

Directed by Teri Loretto-Valentik 

Two people can fall in love in the blink of an eye — and they can lose the connection just as quickly. Perhaps being screened from emotion (literally and figuratively) by keeping the relationship once removed is safer.

It certainly seems so for Jonah and Sophie, the two socially isolated loners in Phil Porter’s Blink, who tell their stories directly to the audience rather than to each other.

Jonah grew up on a farm (actually a rural religious community, he explains) and has no knowledge of modern technology. Sophie is a city-based software developer, but, as the boss who fires her says, lacks visibility, personally and professionally. Each has just lost a beloved parent. She rents the second apartment in the building she owns to him, leaving him with the screen from the baby monitor she had used to check on her dying father.

 

They watch soap operas on TV, together but separate. Gradually, voyeurism moves into stalking as he follows her, until, eventually, they meet — in difficult circumstances. Then, just as their personal soap opera seems to be heading towards a happy ending, it changes course.

Odd, but interesting, Blink is a great vehicle for the two actors in the Plosive Productions presentation, directed by Teri Loretto-Valentik. David Whiteley as Jonah and Gabriella Gadsby as Sophie deliver fine characterizations of two vulnerable people trying to negotiate a path to closeness and intimacy and ultimately finding safety in distance.

 

Although the play itself leaves a sense of dissatisfaction, the quality of the production and the performances provide an interesting evening of theatre.

Blink continues at the Gladstone to April 14.

 

Director: Teri Loretto-Valentik

Lighting: Laura Wheeler

Sound and projections: Fiona Currie

Set and costumes: The Company

 

Cast:

Jonah…………………………………David Whiteley

Sophie………………………………..Gabriella Gadsby