The Hypotheticals

The Last Great Hunt’s The Hypotheticals tells of two best friends in the latter half of their 30s, a single straight woman and a partnered gay man who are hypothetically asking whether they should have a baby… together. A highly imaginative, deeply personal, and very physical piece of theatre, this 70-minute little treasure of a show has its audience engrossed.

Written and performed by Jeffrey Jay Fowler and Sarah Reuben, this pair have a beautiful synchronicity and enviable camaraderie That benefits from having a real-life friendship of over 16 years. The characters, called The Man and The Woman, just happen to have identical physical features and similar backgrounds to the performers who play them, and it is clear from both the natural and heartfelt delivery (and it is confirmed in the program) that this story is based on real life conversations and questions asked.

Choreography by Laura Boynes adds a large amount of physicality to this work, highlighting the bodies of the performers in this otherwise quite realistic play. Unusual body movement alludes to the physicality of baby making and the suggestion of dance adds visual interest. Louis Frere-Harvey gives us an organic and interesting sound design including original composition and Matthew McVeigh’s elegantly simple and streamlined set is emotively lit from a design by Peter Young.

Ultimately though, this is an actor led production that relies on the complex, interesting an ever-changing relationship between the two protagonists. Excellent writing and heartfelt multilayered performances have the audience barely moving as they are drawn wholeheartedly into this story, and you hear involuntary gasps as the story takes unexpected turns.

The Hypotheticals is a fascinating piece of work that deserves a longer season. A moving piece of theatre that touches the heart.

Kimberley Shaw