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Set in a vibrant shopping centre in New York, Future Spotlight Productions’ In Pieces explores romance and relationships that we encounter, mostly unintentionally, throughout life. In support of the LGBT Foundation, Future Spotlight Productions strive to create incredible productions telling LGBT stories for the stage and screen.
This musical is filled with intertwined stories. One of these is told by Danielle Steers, whose character is brought to life through her exceptional vocals. Steers’s sincere tone, coupled with the musical’s sublime lyrics makes for an exceptional performance. I am drawn to Steers’s physicality; during an eccentric number with sounds reminiscent of whistles she gently caresses her forearms. Steers’s character Rivers is in love, and these movements accurately reflect our inability to control our gestures and expressions when we are infatuated. Love disconnects us from our self-control and sense in sometimes disorientating ways.
Videographer and Director of Photography, Fabio Santus, crisply captures every slight expression change with perfectly chosen close-ups. Jordan Luke Gage dominates his role as a troubled and confused character, Grey, who struggles to express his desire for his love interest, Charlie, portrayed by Ross Harmon. I root for these two men and their completely different personalities to have their happily ever after. The plot, however, likes to thwart me as this concept is about the obstacles to love in the journey to find that perfect ending. During his heartfelt riffs, Gage cleverly uses the muscles in his face to portray a shifting smoke-screen of masks that morph between single notes and this is indescribable.
A wide open stage allows the supporting dancers to leap in synch, though at times the main characters are blocked from my view which can be slightly disruptive to the flow of the piece. However, the camera angles are incredibly innovative, sometimes above or circling around performers; the audience is able to see positions that would be impossible in a physical theatre and this is a true strength of the piece.
In Pieces aims to relight the sparks in moments that change a person’s day, and inevitably their whole lives, when they fall in love. Love can provide someone with satiety and this performance explores how incomplete life can feel without this. This production is a beautiful depiction of the power of love to heal, to complete and to bring joy which subtly explores the trials that come with exposing your vulnerabilities to another.
In Pieces is playing online until 26th April 2021. For more information and tickets, see Stream Theatre’s website.