‘Staying in touch is like holding onto a past life’ – Alysia Orbell’s play is a thought-provoking and relatable depiction of modern relationship struggles. It’s Ok. We’ll be Ok. is Sixth Side’s first foray into original productions, and it is good to see Trevelyan also staging student-written theatre as many other colleges do. 

Alysia is supported in her role as writer and director by assistant director Matthew Hall, who she has credited as helping to provide valuable insights and perspectives. Alongside him is producer Dan Wattis, overseeing everything technical, and whose organisational skills provides a very professional feeling to the production. 

The show opens in the midst of a crisis in the relationship of Matt and Jen; Matt has to relocate from Edinburgh to London for work, with the distance posing a huge threat to their relationship. After returning home, they, in the course of one evening, decide whether to give long-distance a go.  

The set is intimate, and the actors move around the space freely, interacting with thoughtfully designed sets. For example, photos of Matt and Jen in the audience and knickknacks add immersion. Matt’s engineering books on the shelves are a physical reminder of his methodical and ordered mind, and act as a symbolic reminder of the engineering job which is forcing Matt to move away. This attention to detail creates a fly-on-the-wall perspective for the audience and brings out the drama in Matt and Jen’s situation. Having said this, there could have been even greater interaction with the set and its props which hold meaning to Matt and Jen to allow them to show their love through actions as well, for example when Jen injures her foot. Stage manager Harry Naylor provides off-stage sound which amplifies the action. Lighting, provided by Eloise Gordon-Stables, is simple yet effective, allowing the audience’s focus to remain squarely on the two protagonists.  

Ollie Ingoe portrays Matt in a high-energy, humorous, and often flamboyant manner. His job as an engineer may give the impression that he approaches problems rationally, immediately turning to puzzle books when idle, however when in heated confrontations, an inner vulnerability and panic shines through. References to Matt’s friend Mark and their bromance shows that he could be isolated from more than just Jen by moving to London. Following the final confrontation, Matt sits alone on the chair for the first time, symbolically showing the separation that they will both soon have to endure. 

Florence Bray as Jen, Matt’s foil, contrasts with this, being more openly concerned. She forces Matt to open up and face the reality which he has been trying to avoid. Like Matt, she shows vulnerability, her past relationships having negatively affected the way she trusts partners, and makes her more insecure about potentially loosing Matt. 

The interactions between Matt and Jen have a good cadence and the characters present their concerns in a stream of raw emotions. Though dealing with serious themes, dialogue is written in a playful way which highlights the positive parts of their relationship, and gives us an insight into what has kept them together for so long. A couple of the gags, related to internet meme culture, help to give this balance and provide good comic relief. Both actors play off each other well and adapt their dialogue well throughout. 

Alysia as writer and director presents a deeply personal reflection of the struggles of adulthood, balancing success and relationships

The culmination of this is the revelation that Matt has been withholding a secret from Jen. This forces the couple to reconcile and gives them both a fresh look on their futures. One of the questions dealt with in the play was whether Matt and Jen ‘need’ each other, or if they are just scared of losing each other. They discuss how they can lead happy and fulfilling lives apart, but that there is an underlying desire to have each other in their lives. The play is unique as it features an original song written by Alysia and Harry; ‘Epilogue’ is a nostalgic guitar ballad which provides closure to the show. As it plays, Matt and Jen dance together as the show concludes.  

Alysia as writer and director presents a deeply personal reflection of the struggles of adulthood, balancing success and relationships. Having previously discussed the parallels between her own experiences and those of her characters, It’s Ok. We’ll be Ok. is here a compelling roman à clef of the realities many of us face at end of our time at university. 

It’s Ok. We’ll be Ok. is performing again tonight (23rd February) in the Dowrick Suite at Trevelyan College. Tickets can be bought here.

Images: Dan Wattis / Sixth Side Theatre