Ah, memory—the mother of all muses & the cruelest of critics… In @orangemoontheatreco’s "Conversations We Never Had As People We'll Never Be," we embark on a heady journey into the intricacies of love & the labyrinth of #memories…🎭💭

The premise is #sci-fi yet intensely personal à la Charlie Kaufman’s "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."🎞️ Gina & Frankie are faced with a familiar choice: erasing their failed relationship from their minds. However, this version involves a pill bought online…💊

📔The piece’s emotional texture is enriched by a finely-tuned script that at times feels deserving of a spot in the annals of poetic drama alongside #RajivJoseph’s “Gruesome Playground Injuries” & #NickPayne’s “Constellations”. The #Matrix-evoking pill premise isn't just a sci-fi gimmick; it's the foundation for the emotional rollercoaster the characters—and the audience—ride on…

The narrative does leave us wondering why these seemingly perfect souls would part ways, until the issue of parenthood casts its long, complex shadow. There are shades of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in the way an imagined child plays a life-altering role in the narrative…

Acting-wise, the chemistry between Gina & Frankie is palpable⚗️ and grounded in a realism that gives their dilemma emotional gravitas. Flashbacks, induced by clever tech, help to unleash waves of longing, regret, and insight. It's an evocative device, well-executed but underutilized…

Set design & sound design are minimal, perhaps deliberately so to let the actors shine✨ But more could have been done, particularly in the directing, to punctuate and underline the script's potential…

The writing is the show's crown jewel👑, rife with lines & monologues that you'd want etched into your memory, or better yet, your skin. One, in particular, delves into the gut-wrenching reality of sacrifice for personal growth, left us with goosebumps…

Our Verdict? 4/5 🌟 A mesmerizing tale of #love, #loss & what could have been. It's a show that's not just good but haunting, offering an abundance of talent & untapped potential. The ride is far from smooth, but the turbulence makes the journey unforgettable.

#edfringe23 #fillyerboots