I saw the new West End theatre version of The Shape of Things last night by Neil LaBute. It’s based on his film of the same name, which I must admit I missed. I did see the other two in his “battle of the sexes” trilogy, In The Company of Men and Your Friends and Neighbors [sic], and I knew basically very little about the plot before I went (OK – it was a freebie. Usually I’m in the habit of learning a little about the productions I see before I buy tickets).
The plot revolves around a young sculptor (Alicia Witt) meeting a part-time museum attendent (Enzo Cilenti), and their relationship forming. We are also introduced to two other friends. Slowly but surely, it becomes apparent that changes are afoot. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, and to be honest, even reading the one line synopsis on IMDB gives the game away (and I’m glad I didn’t).
Witt is particularly good (I remember her mostly as Cybil Shepherd’s daughter in the eponymous sitcom), and will no doubt attract some headlines for one particular scene.
The whole thing is wrapped up nicely in about an hour and forty minutes with no interval, and the set is, for the most part, exceptionally minimalist – but then it doesn’t really matter. Of course I’m curious in seeing the film now.