Love and Information 

WAAPA’s Third Year Acting performed Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information - a fast paced ensemble piece - as their final full scale production.

Love and Information is presented in seven sections, with each section divided into seven scenes. Scenes are given no particular context, characters rarely have names, and there is only one continuing story. Each scene lasts between a few seconds and around five minutes.

The one through story - as presented by WAAPA - was the recurring appearance of Audrey Blyde and Kingsley O’Connor as a couple, where he seems distant and uninterested. It eventually emerges that he is involved in an online affair, with a ‘virtual’ woman. 

Love and Information allowed the 18 actors to play over 100 different characters, and the ability to switch so quickly and establish characters instantly, was particularly impressive. The myriad of roles played means that some actors must be playing against type, but they are very successful in every scene. Characters are beautifully drawn in their brief appearances and the audience become invested very quickly.

The overarching theme is conveyed in the title, with scenes examining love and relationships in the digital age and the changing nature of media’s effect on love. 

Georgia Manning’s innovative set design allows for projections, screens and viewing boxes, which imitate the iPhones, iPads and computers through which we view the world.

Lighting and Vision designer Ciaran Russell makes strong choices, including lighting actors with their own phones and using phone torch illumination. Sound Design is integral to the presentation and is well orchestrated by Anil Duratovic. It includes the live performances of composer musicians Arund Pearce and Pavan Hari.

Costumes (designed by Georgia Manning) are simple, but plentiful, and much credit must go to the costume crew for creating a plethora of different and always appropriate looks.

The final glimpse of the Acting Class of 2017 as a team (for most of the public) shows a diverse group of young people, with a wonderful depth of talent. They are versatile, well-trained and strong, and I look forward to seeing them in the industry.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Jon Green