If you've only just started dating someone, The Vertical Hour is the ideal show to watch together. But be warned - you might not travel back home in the same car!
Theatre By The Lake has put on an incredibly provocative play which will no doubt trigger discussions.You'll soon find out if your new date is a keeper.
It's 2006 and Philip Lucas, an Englishman living in the US, takes his girlfriend Nadia Bly, an American war reporter-turned-Yale professor, to Shropshire to meet his parents.
Dad Oliver Lucas, a doctor with an obscure past, doesn't think twice before showing his aversion for Nadia's views on the war in Iraq.
The academic is known for having advised George Bush on intervening in the war and Dr Lucas doesn't miss a chance to challenge her beliefs.
Trust me, it's not just about the old pro or against war argument here, it is much more complicated than that. As a spectator, you feel part of a talk show. You know where your heart stands in the debate, but you can't help but acknowledging the validity of the points made on both side.
And it's not just about politics, the play shows how what we believe is conditioned by who we are and what we've experienced. In an almost cathartic way, the three characters force each other to unveil themselves by provoking one another.
Father and son relationship is key in this process, as is each individual's view on romantic relationships.
Joanna Simpkins, as Nadia, is the actor who caused the biggest reactions in me.
She took me on a journey of emotions.
Throughout the two hours I admired Nadia, got angry with her and by the end of the play I felt as if we were sitting right next to each other discussing our problems.
The atmosphere of intimacy was facilitated by the play being staged in the Studio - a smaller and informal venue with the audience sitting at both sides of the stage.
This meant actors had to perform at 360 degrees, adding to the impact the play had on me.
Being able to see the audience sat opposite me, I could see people getting more and more passionate about the discussions - which was quite amusing.
Laughter and lighthearted jokes of course also found their place in the play, making it a very enjoyable evening.
The Verical Hour will be performed at Theatre By The Lake until November 5.
FEDERICA BEDENDO
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