Theatre Royal Windsor – Saturday 19th August 2023
Reviewed by Carly Burlinge
5*****
Windsor brings you the world premiere of Alone Together written by Simon Williams and Directed by Sean Mathias. It tells the story of an unhappy couple Colin (Martin Shaw) and Angela (Jenny Seagrove) with a tragic and devastating relationship, with not much more to hold onto! With life seeming utterly depressing, she meets a young man named Jonty (Josh Goulding) in the surroundings of her favourite park, whilst sitting on a bench. Jonty is a young writer looking for the motivation for his new novel, which he may have just found in Angela. The two find themselves meeting weekly, divulging snippets of their lives to one another. Her unhappy marriage going nowhere with Colin, a man who plays a nasty unthoughtful character, gives her no hope of being happy once again. Her dreams become apparent of who and what she could have been – studying art, listening to Bob Dylan and smoking weed! Jonty only encourages her to leave Colin and pursue her dreams – it’s amazing just how much they have in common! With Jonty also opening up about his life and past and talking about his love he has met online but not in person, now seeking advice from Angela about this relationship. The two form a friendship of intelligence and emotion but all is not as it seems.
With all parties trying desperately to escape their real lives – was their meeting really by coincidence or is there more to the story than meets the eye!
Angela is portrayed as a crushed and broken woman trying to hold onto her life before. She plays her part tremendously well, capturing the audience from start to finish.
Jonty plays a clumsy but vulnerable character that has an intellectual mind. I have to say all three actors showed much talent, offering many levels of emotion alongside a fantastic connection on stage.
The show gives you a realistic view on life as well as a look into fantasy and the dangers of online social media where you can pretend to be someone you are not. Two wrongs don’t make a right but maybe in this story it does!!
This production was spectacular from start to finish, a very enjoyable watch with Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove on tip top form. Windsor you have done it again with a fantastic and exceptional all-around play that should definitely not be missed!!!