Supernova
A tale of two star-crossed lovers, but which star? One doomed to go supernova? Or more immediately, “What’s your favourite planet?” That’s the question Tess poses to Harry, dressed as Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor, complete with fez, and Tess in sparkling silver astronaut apparel, two lovers of science and science fiction meeting outside a convention.
There are instant sparks, and one thing leads quickly to another; the relationship is fast and passionate, both falling hard into each other’s orbit, but under the pressure of such intense gravity cracks start showing, and as Tess’s mental health deteriorates the strain on the relationship grows.
Written by and starring Call The Midwife’s Rhiannon Neads, Supernova is a show highlighting the brightness of intense love contrasted with the darkness of depression, blending metaphors of black holes and supernovae to explain the crush, destruction and hope of living and loving with mental health issues.
Being just a two-person show places that intense pressure directly on the endearing and charismatic cast who perform exceptionally well, director Jessica Dromgoole of the National Theatre’s Just Not Fair allowing them to flourish; considering that the nature of the show depends on physics, they have a fantastic chemistry together.
The well-written banter, mixed with excellent comic timing bring the audience along with the laughs and the tears, and it is impossible not to root for these two characters which makes the heartbreak of their problems all the more deeply felt, Tess’s falling into depression hits harder for its realism and familiarity to those who have experienced similar.
The audience who watch her falling as powerless as the adorably sweet Harry to help her, Sam Swann gives a heart-melting performance as he tries to be there for Tess while she lashes out at him, verbal blows which are painful to witness, akin to seeing a puppy being kicked.
The minimal set allowing for easy transitions as the simple stage and few items create different settings seamlessly, the seventy-five minute run time with no intermission is perfect, keeping the audience engaged as they race through the launch stages before being pulled towards the black hole.
For science fiction fans there are fun references, while for those who have experienced mental health issues or been close to those who have many of the themes will strike a very personal chord, Supernova both laugh-out-loud funny and tear inducingly heartbreaking before fading on a hopeful note, not just for these lovers but for all who deal with the struggles of mental health, lingering with the audience long after the supernova burns out.
Supernova runs at the Clapham Omnibus until Saturday 13th May
