What happens when the simple act of speaking freely is stripped away? Rational Animals is bringing this thought-provoking work to Newcastle audiences. The production’s director shares how movement, silence and minimal staging become powerful storytelling tools in their hands.
About The Production – Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons by Sam Steiner
What is this production about?
For me, this production is about language, freedom and control. It explores what happens when something as simple as being able to speak freely is taken away, and how that begins to affect our relationships, choices and sense of self.
What is challenging about bringing this script to life?
The biggest challenge has been making the many scene changes and shifts in time feel seamless. With each change, the characters’ intentions, tone, mood and body language shift too. There is a lot happening beneath what can appear to be very simple conversations, so finding a way to communicate those changes clearly, while keeping the pace and rhythm of the production, has been a real challenge.
What sort of person is going to love this show?
I think anyone who enjoys theatre that makes you think, question things and notice the little details will love this show. You don’t need to know anything about politics or censorship to connect with it. At its heart, it’s still a very human story about two people trying to understand each other, communicate and stay connected.
What will the audience be thinking about on the drive home after this show?
Hopefully, they’ll be thinking about how much freedom they actually have in the words they use every day. What would happen if we couldn’t say what we wanted to say? And how would that change the way we communicate, connect and understand one another?
What is going to surprise people about this production?
The movement, repetition, lighting, silence and minimal set all become part of the storytelling. What initially looks like a simple conversation between two people gradually becomes something much bigger. I think audiences will be surprised by how much can be communicated through what is not said.
A heartfelt thank you for sharing the intricate work behind bringing Steiner’s script to life, particularly the challenge of making those many shifts in time feel seamless. For those who love theatre that rewards attention to detail and lingers in the mind long after the curtain falls, tickets are available through TryBooking.
