AN EXCITING thought-provoking love story which featured repeated scenes and alternative versions was performed at the Arts Centre on Friday night.

Constellations is the latest creation from local company Gatecrash Theatre and it didn’t disappoint when it came to their usual impactful and professional style.

It starred only two actors, Becky Danks who played the part of Marianne and Jordan Turk who was Roland, and that’s always a challenge as you don’t have a crowd of performers to rely on. But they pulled it off with ease from the minute they first entered the stage until they took their bows at the end.

It all starts with a chat-up line about the inability to lick your own elbows as Marianne, the physicist, attempts to grab the attention of Roland, the beekeeper, during a barbecue.

Scenes move quickly and the play reminded me of the movie, Sliding Doors.

It was hilarious in parts, emotional in others and simply mind-bending at times.

This is Gatecrash’s 2017 Smash and Grab project, which means members of the company direct, design and perform a play of their choice, under the mentorship of a theatre professional.

This performance was a good length (with no interval it lasted just under 90 minutes) and the two performers never slipped up during that time.

It’s just a shame that the theatre was only half full as this kind of local talent warrants a full house. People of Swindon, appreciate what’s on your doorstep and keep an eye out for local groups like Gatecrash Theatre.

— Kelly Jobanputra