THEATRE REVIEW: by their fruits ★★★

At its core, by their fruits, written, directed and choreographed by dkfash, is a contemporary tale that is compelling, complex, and at times frustrating, as we are drawn into a world of magnetic shifts within a couple (Him and Her) that grapples with what we think we know about relationships. The complexity of our thoughts and feelings as we go through emotional grief in heartbreak is told through weaving poetry that flows in such rhythm that has clearly been finely tuned and executed with precision from performers Ivan Oyik and Reba Ayi-Sobsa.

Whilst some of the movement sections feel a little forced and on the nose with it’s text, I couldn’t help but feel like I was alone with this couple; together Oyik and Ayi-Sobsa have an inter-connecting chemistry that isn’t natural as such, but balances as the performance mellows in time, all helped with the efforts of Intimacy Director, Bethan Clark. Amanda Ramasawmy’s Set and Costume also plays a key part into showcasing the maturity of the couple through stages that we encounter them, which compliments Rachel E. Cleary’s ambitious lighting design within the small confines of Theatre503’s stage.

Some of the earlier text throws a lot at us, the audience, and we too quickly have to cement ourselves into what the couple are going through. With themes of loss, infidelity, and the birth of hope in tough times, it’s a lot to take in over the course of the running time, and whilst maybe some latter elements to the themes don’t necessarily land in the way I would have hoped for, there is enough there to understand the nature of what lies ahead for this deeply connected couple, long after the lights come down.

by their fruits runs at Theatre503 until 30th November.