Plymouth Theatre Review

Title: Question Mark, Cerberus Theatre Company

Venue: The House, Main Stage 

Date: 28th May 2024

Overall Rating: 3.5

‘Question Mark’ is a show that revolves around the seemingly mundane yet deeply significant queries that permeate our lives and relationships. These questions, on the surface, may appear rhetorical or unnecessary but they subtly unravel profound and deeply impacting truths about the human condition and our connections and relationships with other. 

The set design was simplistic, yet effective. With a sofa being the main focal point on the stage and the action taking place with very little reliance on set or props. Rather than detracting from the scene, this enabled me to feel a deeper connection to the plot, allowing focus to remain on the actors and exploration of the the plays themes. Projections were used to pose questions that would then be depicted in the following scene, giving the show an episodical feel, with the questions posed providing a premise to what we will see play out on stage. I found this particularly clever as it enabled the audience to ponder the question before hearing it in the scene and I quickly begin to question how often I have also posed the same question in similar scenarios myself.

The writing in this show was clever and meticulously crafted. The dialogue flowed well and carried a familiarity and authenticity that resonated with the audience. Written and Directed by Yelena Fricker, the writing carries subtle undertones that perfectly capture the complexities of relationships and language itself, urging the spectator to ponder the bigger questions about self identity, trust and communication, as well as the questions posed directly throughout the piece. What makes the writing truly compelling is Fricker’s ability to elevate seemingly ordinary conversations into richer emotional and even psychological dialogue where the questions asked may seem simple, but are actually anything but. This dynamic keeps the viewer engaged and introspective, pondering how and when we have posed the same questions in our own lives.

The characters of Bea (played by Holly Wright) and Elsie (played by Meredith Perry) were portrayed with dedication to character and both actors delivered strong individual performances where it was clear they connected with the text and themes of the play. While the acting was commendable, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the relationship between the two and despite their individual strong portrayals, the chemistry felt lacking at times making the characters relationship less believable. A stronger emotional connection to the relationship between the two characters would have allowed for a deeper resonance of their relationship onstage. Despite this, both actors displayed an abundance of skill in the delivery of the punchy and often comedic narrative and each brought great physicality and comedic timing to the scenes. 

‘Question Mark’ excels in its sharp and thought provoking writing, with performances that show a dedication to comedy and themes inherent in the show. While the onstage relationship could have been more believable, the show remains a poignant exploration of the subtleties and complexities of relationships and serves as a stimulating reminder of the power of words and the deeper meanings they can hold.