"Far Apart" by Alice Walker &

Libby Horobin

NNT's Autumn Online Season.

The latest in the Nottingham New Theatre's Autumn Online Season which can be seen on Wednesday 25 November at 7.30.

As in the last production, I feel that this works so well as an online piece of theatre. It would work as a piece on stage with segmented spotlight highlighted parts of the stage but you would not get as much out of the backgrounds as in this online piece.

The story is about three siblings, Andi, Cal and Alex. They are far apart, Cal is just starting Uni, Alex is working abroad and Andi is at home, on the brink of going to Uni. And then something within the family circle happens to cause worry and grief.

The conversation is over face time, sometimes with all three and sometimes between two of the three siblings.

Andi, with being at home and, although in the thick of it, is often shielded, but she knows what is what and at times feels guilt over wanting to get out of there and also feels great responsibility to be at home. She is adamant though that she is going to put her life on hold for the sake of her parents, something she sometimes feels Cal and Alex should also do. She feels segregated but is with her family unit.

Cal is in the throes of Fresher's Week but often feels that she does not fit in with the Uni crowd, which also at times makes her ever more longing to be home.

Alex works abroad, and has done well for himself and we start with discovering that he is in the early stages of a new relationship, something he tells Andi not to tell his parents of. That sibling trust is broken but we discover why as the story unfolds.

The production is just shy of 33 minutes long but you become so wrapped up in the conversation and what is happening in the background of the story that it seems a fraction of that time.

It's lovely how we see what little things make the trio smile and laugh, from wearing odd socks to "Countdown", and that really breaks the intensity of the conversation.

It's also nice that the final five minutes unfold and we get a happy ending for all three but the silver lining also has that darker cloud just beneath.

The production highlights different life choices and personal responsibilities

Lelah Gorgin (Andi),

Georgia Barnwell

(Cal) and Mikey Flannery (Alex) are all very natural performers and I would love to see them on stage in a production, maybe in 2021. I do have a feeling that I have seen Georgia before anyway at NNT. I must also say that I love the drawings on the wall behind Georgia's head.

And now to some more talented people responsible for this piece...

Director and Co-writer: Alice Walker

Producer and Co-writer:

Libby Horobin

Assistant Producer:

Gabriella Teriaca

Sound Designer: Em Rule

Publicity Assistant/Poster Designer: Skylar Turnbull Hurd

Video Editor: Jasmine Butler & Rose Edgeworth

Creative Assistant and Captioner: Izzy De Bono.

You can catch "Far Apart" on the Nottingham New Theatre Youtube Channel on Wednesday 25 November at 7.30pm