Angie sits waiting for a man who she’s never met – only seen in a blurry photograph, only spoken to hurriedly on the phone. Brian arrives late, having lost a contact lens and unable to see properly. They sit next to each other at the station, waiting, as the clock ticks. Brian is happily married, he tells us, with several children. This is his first attempt at infidelity. Angie tells us she has been engaged for three year to a plain and good electrical contractor called Tim. Not realizing that they are actually there to meet each other, each observes and judges the other. Brian, nervous and ferret like; Angie, very young and slightly mad.
Frank Marcus’ play Blind Date follows Angie and Brian as they each wait just a little bit longer, making excuses to themselves and hoping their date will show up. When they do finally realize they are supposed to be meeting each other, it’s too late and they part ways. In the end, it is clear that in contrast with the escapist fantasy, the reality is disappointing.
It’s a simple performance – two actors on a bench – but the actors who play Angie and Brian pull it off and manage to be quirky and endearing throughout. Though it’s always a bit of a stretch when someone under thirty plays a middle aged man, Brian was convincing. It is a funny play, but with a definite edge of despair and sharp irony. It takes places in real time and is a one act play, so one has the impression of having been parachuted into someone else’s life for three quarters of an hour, which is really a very enjoyable experience, particularly when you get your own life back at the end.
Frank Marcus’ play Blind Date follows Angie and Brian as they each wait just a little bit longer, making excuses to themselves and hoping their date will show up. When they do finally realize they are supposed to be meeting each other, it’s too late and they part ways. In the end, it is clear that in contrast with the escapist fantasy, the reality is disappointing.
It’s a simple performance – two actors on a bench – but the actors who play Angie and Brian pull it off and manage to be quirky and endearing throughout. Though it’s always a bit of a stretch when someone under thirty plays a middle aged man, Brian was convincing. It is a funny play, but with a definite edge of despair and sharp irony. It takes places in real time and is a one act play, so one has the impression of having been parachuted into someone else’s life for three quarters of an hour, which is really a very enjoyable experience, particularly when you get your own life back at the end.