Back to Where is the debut production from theatre company New Tricks and is a truly touching comedy drama which explores the reality of modern romance. The play centres around a couple with a ‘Visa marriage’ who have taken a camping trip to the Welsh countryside in order to spend some time alone with no work, no phones and no outside world, to attempt to solve the problems in their relationship.

The play is brilliantly directed by Colin James as the story slips seamlessly between the present and the past, darting back to significant moments in their relationship, slowly revealing more and more about the couple – Will and Jane. The set is simple and pared back with three different locations that the couple move between. The transitions are simple and easily carried off in such an intimate setting which really suits the naturalism of the piece.

The close setting perfectly suits the real moments of tenderness that the play showcases and there is palpable chemistry between Hannah Hawkins and Vincent Adriano, particularly as the play goes on to reveal the earlier moments in their relationship. It leaves the audience genuinely rooting for the couple as the emotion is so real, so raw and so close, in every sense.  

Adriano is incredibly funny as failing Australian film-maker Will, who comes out with the wittiest comments as well as the best-worst jokes. His performance is brilliant, refreshingly real, entirely at ease with himself and in moments very moving. Hawkins is also very funny as ‘anal Jane’, a high-flying lawyer who struggles to let go of work. The two of them really bounce off one another and really shine in their tender moments reflecting on their relationship, to a very moving effect. At times their arguments feel overblown or melodramatic, but then that is probably true of many real relationships as well and it is carried off by the couple’s naturalism and chemistry.

The script is brilliantly crafted and contrasts the real life relationship between Will and Jane with the fictional ‘movie’ of their lives that Will jokingly constructs. The contrasting between the two is incredibly subtle and doesn’t become entirely clear until the end of the play but really cleverly explores the differences between the expectation of romance and the realities of modern day relationships.  Back to Where is genuinely moving, very funny and showcases a great selection of acting and directing talent. It is a debut that New Tricks Theatre can be incredibly proud of and I look forward to seeing what else they produce.

Back to Where played at The Bread and Roses Theatre until July 15.