The Shape of Things

Synopsis

Adam is a non-descript young student who works part-time in an art museum and a video store just to pay his way through college. That is, until he meets Evelyn, at which moment his life changes. Evelyn instils a new-found confidence in Adam, making him feel better about himself by changing his appearance, helping him lose weight, and giving him fashion advice. Soon Adam is attracting attention he has never had before. But how far is Adam willing to go to make his relationship with Evelyn work? And how much will he change his perception of himself from what he used to be to what he believes he wants to be?

Our Review:

18 May 2004

Originally premiered by the Almeida in a shape-shifting space that the theatre was temporarily occupying in King’s Cross in May 2001, Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things now returns to London and undergoes another change of shape, space and place to appear in the West End.

Of course, the mutability of people, places, art and relationships is one of the principal themes of LaBute’s play, and as it tests the subjectivity inherent in the transactions and perceptions of its characters to each of those things, the play itself has now become another item to line up for consideration of our ever-shifting reactions beside them.

As with David Mamet’s Oleanna, also recently revived in the West End and similarly testing the limits of our tolerance for an explicit manipulation of a situation, it’s impossible on a second viewing of this play to recreate the galvanising surprise of its overwhelming climax. But this new production ...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.74.155.116) - 2 June 2004:

Very enjoyable story of an art postgrad and her relationship with a speccy nerd. As the affair progresses, he finds himself bending increasingly to her whims regarding his appearance, sprucing himself up to satisfy her. But she has an agenda of her own... It's very lively, well-paced, well-acted, nicely lit, and it has something to say that not everyone will agree with but will spark some debates and discussions. It's closing on 12 June, which is a shame as it deserves a longer run, but it's just not getting bums on seats. Take my advice and give it a go, if you haven't already. It won't rescue it, but it'll provide you with some top-notch entertainment. BACKDRIFTER...

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