The storyline centres around two strangers who meet seemingly by chance at the arrivals lounge of a non-descript third world country. The city is war-ravaged, and they both wait impatiently for different friends, people whom they love, to collect them from the airport.
Nothing to Lose is a performance plagued by a tangible sense of love, regret, trust and longing. It interweaves the lives of three so-called strangers and shows how they are intrinsically connected by a common bond.
The storyline centres around two strangers who meet seemingly by chance at the arrivals lounge of a non-descript third world country. The city is war-ravaged, and they both wait impatiently for different friends, people whom they love, to collect them from the airport.
The two are distinctly different, and the initial sense of awkwardness between them is palpable. A well travelled Australian girl planning to see her estranged sister brings light heartedness and comic relief to the performance, whilst the other is the quintessential pretentious Englishman who is planning to surprise his fiancé with an unexpected visit. However as time ticks by, and they continue to wait, the fragile exteriors of the plays two central characters begins to disintegrate. The audience is exposed to their stories of love, loss and hope, and the stereotypes begin to be stripped away, piece by piece.
The uneasy tension and social unrest in the country adds an element of excitement and apprehension to the script, and even when the characters begin to draw the audience and themselves into their personal stories they are sharply snapped back to reality. It’s a stark contrast to the more comical aspects of the setting, and the audience is continually reminded that this meeting is laced with danger and unease, adding another facet to the performance.
While the plot is at times quite predictable, the story has definite heart.
You easily create an instant connection with the characters, and the more you invest in the performance, the more affecting the result is. Nothing to Lose involves brave and strong acting performances where the actors share an evident connection and powerful sense of chemistry. As you watch the play you find yourself being drawn further and further into the story, until you are at the edge of your seat, hanging on to every word.
The plot of the play is honestly one that you’ve seen a million times before; a chance encounter which builds to the inexplicable twist, running toward a dramatic climax. But this play has a certain something that is different, and you find yourself quite willingly being taken along for the ride, even though you’re pretty sure you know where it’s heading.
Nothing to Lose demonstrates the intense and inescapable bonds that we form with those around us, with family, lovers and strangers. It asks the question of just how well you know your loved ones, and how well you know yourself. It’s powerful, emotive and engaging, and well worth a look.
