By Michele Markarian
“Next Time” – Created by Evan Neiden. Directed by John Ertman. Presented by Candle House Collective, through February 28.
I like to tell my friends who live in places other than New England that New Englanders invented masks and social distancing, as it suits our standoffish natures. It’s a funny line, as all of us are feeling pushed to the edge with our limited interactions. We’ve all had plenty of time to navel gaze and soul search, and are craving interaction, so when the opportunity came to participate in a one-on-one theatrical exchange, “Next Time”, I jumped on it. And while interactive, as well as smart and funny, it brought to the surface self-revelatory answers to questions I didn’t even know I had.
An Inquisitor, played by the lively and engaging Katy Murphy, is on the other end of your cell phone during this unique theatrical experience. I am not going to give away the nature of the call, but you will need an enclosed space – I used my home office – and a pad and paper to participate. You will also need to fill out an intake form prior to participating. The subject matter is enough to be a source of tension, surprise, or both. The call is interactive, and while scripted on the Inquisitor’s end, you, as participant, are allowed at certain intervals, when not answering questions, to ask them. Because of the disembodied voice, I completely bought into the verisimilitude of the Inquisitor and situation, and found myself intensely curious about her life. Murphy’s answers to my questions seemed spontaneous and creative and made me wonder about the range of people’s curiosity.
The questions you are asked during the interactive performance, which takes place over 45 – 60 minutes, are probing, without being offensive or intrusive to this reviewer. This is achieved by Murphy’s tone, and the playful way in which she suggests that the Inquisitor and you, the participant, bond. Murphy explains the social science techniques being used, while telling a few jokes along the way. That said, what surfaces about yourself over the course of the exchange may surprise you. The journey that the audience of one undertakes is twisted and surprising, while retaining a spontaneous feel.
“Next Time” is a good antidote for those of you who crave creativity but are tired of Zoom and would like some daring to break up the pandemic monotony. According to its website, “Candle House Collective creates remote experiences for audiences of one, immersing participants worldwide in deeply human stories and connection”. It sounds like an ambitious mission statement, but trust me, “Next Time” more than fulfills it. For more information, go to: candlehousecollective.com. (Current run is sold out, but may be extended.)
