The Shape of Things by Neil Labute tells the dark comedy romance between Adam (Luke Newton) and Eve (Amber Johnson) an ambitious art student with a manipulative and calculated ulterior motive.

Adam is “stuck in a rut” wearing an old jacket and comfortable in his “geeky” image. Along comes Eve, confident and forthright who sees the “potential” in Adam and slowly suggests ideas on image and fashion to help him improve his health and looks. Only ever suggesting never telling him what to do. However, the power of suggestion is often more effective than one can realise.

Introducing Eve to friends Phillip (Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy) and Jenny (Carla Harrison-Hodge) leads to arguments and betrayal as opinions differ and one of Phillip’s misogynistic attitudes appears to enrage Eve or does it play nicely into her main objective?

Plays are often written to depict men in the role of narcissistic manipulative characters. Watching Eve systematically openly destroy the group in front of an audience is uncomfortable yet fascinating at the same time. Each decision and step she took was worked out with horrifying precision. Yet there has to be a level of respect for her brutal honesty.

Streaming productions are an excellent way to reach wider audiences. I feel watching this play as a live performance would have a harder impact as you would be drawn into the storyline further and felt more of the emotional impact towards the end.

It is worth signing up for Original Theatre online streaming service. The Shape of Things will be available to stream until 8th August 2025. Please use the link below to access this production and others available.

Four Stars.

https://originaltheatre.com/productions/the-shape-of-things

Adam (Luke Newton)

Cast:

Eve

Amber Anderson


Jenny

Carla Harrison-Hodge


Adam

Luke Newton


Phillip

Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy

Creatives:
Costume Supervisor

Alexandra Kharibian

Casting Director

Amy Blair

Lighting Designer

Anna Reddyhoff

Sound Designer

Asaf Zohar

Assistant Stage Manager

Benji Mowbray

Associate Producer

Bethany Cooper

Production Manager

John Page

Stage Manager

Grace Hans

Writer

Neil LaBute

Director

Nicky Allpress

Set & Costume Designer

Peter Butler

Producer

Trish Wadley

Streaming period:

8 August 2023 – 8 August 2025

Duration:

1h 48m

Age recommendation:

You must be 14 or over to see this production.