Protein

Darby James as Charlie brings a light, flirty touch to this exploration of building a life in the midst of social responsibility, personal meaning, sexual expression, the pressure of a quest for perfection and a search for meaningful connection.

The play follows Charlie through a couple of chaotic, challenging days occurring just when Charlie has decided to be a better person and do better in his life. Much of the play is narrated directly to the audience with other characters being created via voice overs. The technical challenge is to get the timing right and it mostly works seamlessly and creates a sense of others largely being filtered through Charlie’s point of view.

Although the play is exploring very serious matters through Charlie’s self-centred musings, the jokey, inconsequential charm created by Darby James keeps the audience with him.

The direction of Clary Riven ensures the staging is simple using just three boxes and a chair to embody Charlie’s world and her pacing of the play ensures the story does not flag. Alex Brown delivers an efficient lighting design which does just enough to support the actor and the sound design which creates the many spaces evoked during the play.

This cheeky, engaging mix of humour and personal angst ends satisfactorily on a note of hope that Charlie will grow into personal responsibility and make room in his life for the reality of others.

Ruth Richter