So many shows- so many people- the International Festival has the city in its grasp and the Fringe Festival is right alongside. This was my third show of the evening and an introverted soul search was not at all what I was expecting.

The opening challenge was a simple question- “could I call you at 2 in the morning?”  Sure, I would answer, I thought, and this short situation drama / dialogue / commentary / expose / interlude / relationship between two friends certainly resonated. Neediness was a constant theme and whether this was personal reaction or more to do with the material, it was possible that less words were needed.

 The short sections of sculptural movement gave us space and time to consider and were well constructed. I particularly liked the danced exploration and anguish of insomnia.

Hanging microphones were used as voice amplification and gave focus to the speaker and the often monologue delivery of each actor. The Bats Dome space was perfect for these intimate ramblings and the obtrusive microphones started to irritate me as the inevitability of where these two were heading played out.

A personal interlude in a flat in Auckland- nice reality moments as geographic detail hooked us in – and props suspended from above gave a floating surrealness to the nighttime hours. Petals scattered by a household fan seemed too pretty for the angst of the moment and a phone conversation positioned off stage dissipated the focus and left us in limbo with nothing to watch.  I am not sure this worked and the tensions and visceral side of this friendship did not develop. That is fine – 2am Phone Call ultimately involved two pleasant people who cared and needed and felt and for a short time we watched, listened and shared ….and possibly felt something as well?

Georgie Silk and Natalie Marie were both confident, assured personalities sharing a progression of episodes in their friendship. These included covert lust and red wine as an improving ingredient in leftover curry for breakfast….

 I was intrigued but wanted less words, more space and social comment in the silence of dance –  and maybe just a tad more excitement in their lives?

A great title and a question that is undoubtedly a fundamental factor in a friendship so definitely worth seeing.

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