What happens when a relationship hits a language barrier? Can a couple overcome communication issues and embrace the bilingual life? This smart two-hander from [embuscada] and meraki explores the possibilities in a blend of realist and surrealist theatre…
YOU SOU is split into three vignettes: a couple using linguistic roleplay to spice up an extramarital affair; a frank discussion the night before a wedding; and speed dating with a difference. In each, the lack of language comprehension is the stumbling block- perhaps an all-American cowboy is sexier than a sultry Portuguese gent, pronunciation is more important to a partner than you realise after a chance meeting with a fellow native speaker, or music could be the universal tool to unlock love.
Carolina Garção and Alexander Wardach move seamlessly between these scenes with snappy dialogue and a great chemistry between them. There’s also subtitles projected behind them, so you don’t need to worry about skipping Portuguese Duolingo lessons! For me, YOU SOU raised many questions about how fast languages can vanish through generations, with grandchildren and grandparents hitting a barrier as English becomes the preferred choice. It can still feel strange and uncomfortable to speak a language that isn’t your own, in a way native speakers can pick up on. It’s great, thought-provoking theatre.
The show is a remote collaboration between artists from the UK, US and Portugal, and partly inspired by British reality show Love Is Blind. YOU SOU might not guarantee a successful speed date, but it might encourage you to dust off that language course you never got round to.
****
YOU SOU is at C Aquila from 5-9 Aug at 13:40.
A comunicação entre os ovos é muito importante e ajuda a manter boa “ vizinhança “ , mas quando se trata de amor , só o olhar diz tudo