You truly never know what you’re going to find on SpareRoom. Most people hope to find a place to live, a landlord who won’t leave you surrounded by black mold, and ideally friendship. But what happens when those friendships become complicated?
Almost Everything is a witty tale of friendship, fidelity, and the downfall of flatcest. The play follows Charlie as he meets, and ultimately decides to give his spare room to, Becca — due to their instantaneous connection formed through a shared love for chess and amaretto sours. As time passes, we see this relationship dwindle for seemingly no reason other than a fear of commitment. When Becca’s sister Emily is added into the mix, things become complicated, the flatmates must learn to balance love and family. As secrets build and tensions rise, the characters learn that to “speak now or forever hold your peace” may be more difficult than expected.
The play eloquently dives into problematic family dynamics, exploring the relationship between an older and younger sister. As they battle the pressure of trying to find themselves when they were never given the space to do so, they must realise that their relationship with each other is more important than their anger. This is particularly resonant in the emotional final scene of the play, which brought me to tears, as it will for anybody with a soft spot for nostalgia, and particularly if you have a sister.
The three-man show was performed brilliantly by Lauren Barrie as Becca, Ben McGuiness as Charlie, and Verity Leigh Woods as Emily, who created undeniable chemistry. The naturalistic stage setting of the apartment creates a comfortable scene, immediately drawing the audience in. Through music and lighting, the passing of time is accentuated, complementing the writing and allowing for smooth pacing.
Co-writers Lauren Barrie and Ben McGuinness perfectly encapsulate the essence of normal people doing normal things, creating a raw and real story, with characters so ordinary that you feel like you know them personally. Almost Everything is a must-see gem that proves that messy relationships are often the ones worth fighting for.
Almost Everything is running until the 30th of August at Lower Hall at Braw Venues at Grand Lodge. Buy tickets here
Image Credit — Andrew Lam, Ilus photography, provided to The Student for press use.
