Seen by Federica at Edinburgh Festival Fringe on the 10th of August 2024
5 stars – I text therefore I am (therefore I love)
After meeting in unpredictable circumstances, two students start texting. One is reading Humanities and living his sexuality in a free way; the other is a physicist who acts like he is in control of everything in his life. The differences between them are abysmal and a source for jokes and funny misunderstandings; it is nonetheless the beginning of a relationship. Also, like in most relationships, the texting continues in-between meetings, even before that the characters are actually separated by time zones.
In this courageous experiment conceived by Eli Zukovski, writer and director, not only are the stage bare and props almost absent, but the interaction between the characters is also stripped down to the minimum: they don’t look at each other, nor can they hear each other’s voice. The essential, fragile process of getting to know each other is entrusted to written form, deprived of sounds, smiles and caresses. Thanks to the clever direction, this does not result in a loss but in a gain on stage, as the performers act to the advantage of the audience, each as the writer of his texts. The frequent mismatch of action and reaction enriches the performance of hilarious moments, but it also provides an accurate depiction of this kind of remote communication and its shortcomings.
The characters, exceptionally interpreted by the recently graduated Jonathan Rubin and Lewis Merrylees, only exist when they are typing, in an almost Cartesian way. The tempo is dictated by the messages, sometimes with delays, and other in an over-simultaneous way. Despite being occasions for hilarity, every little trip in the communication leaves a mark on the relationship. We are left to wonder if the ‘distance’ in the title is not reduced but increased by a type of one-dimensional communication that has become completely normal, and towards which, by choice or by habit, we have become acritical.
Long distance succeeds in exploring and problematizing the way we relate to DMs as well as other themes concerning dating and relationships in a way that is both ironical and poetical, while also scattering hints for criticism on this and potentially other romantic stories. Or, at least, on their written track.
2nd-25th August; 2 pm
Running time: 60 minutes
Venue: Zoo Playground
Tickets and Info: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/long-distance
Company Website: https://elizuzovsky.com/theater
Instagram: https://elizuzovsky.com/theater
Butterwort 
Leave a comment