Idealistic Oliver is raging about the Hush Law. Lawyer Bernadette knows that, until a decision is made, the correct terminology is ‘Bill’. Words are important. Especially when you only have 140 per day.
In Sam Steiner’s crisp script, filtered through Director Ed Madden’s mathematical precision, humour and political energy aren’t compromised. Qualifiers go first. Then, the gaps between words. Loveu. Jokes lie understated. Morse code is overindulgent. “Dot dot dot? That’s three words for one letter.”
Euan Kitson is divine as tense and earnest sweetie, Oliver. He’s like Michael Cera crossed with the perfect English gent. Beth Holmes is all generous smiles and light gestures, as grounded Bernadette. They go through the motions: Frankie and Benny’s, declare love, forge ‘couple’s’ dialect.
In austere, percussive dialogues, words become social commodity. “I’m running low”. No room for argument. Coordinate, or drift apart.
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