One of my favorite issues I’ve seen this yr thus far, How We Begin is bisexual perfection on the VAULT Festival
“I like how you make me feel queer”
Washes of bisexual lighting (by Han Sayle) fill the Pit as two girls take the stage. One begins to inform the story of their friendship – born within the rush of freshers week – however the different quickly steps in to complete their sentence, right a element, reshape a path. That extraordinary intimacy is the hallmark of How We Begin, Diana and Helen’s story of how generally friendship can flip into one thing extra and the way it may be fairly the emotional rollercoaster if it does.
Those are twists and turns, queer embraces and intestine punches, I don’t wish to reveal an excessive amount of about, such is the pleasure of watching this two-hander unfold. Written by Elisabeth Lewrenz and directed by Elizabeth Benbow, the intertwining intimacy of this pairing is totally engrossing, the interconnectedness of the dialogue a superb shortcut into the depth of their relationship – if solely they may work out precisely what that relationship is.
Expectations are very often confounded on this world. Choices to put on the sexiest of underwear can result in sofabeds. Anticipated battles in opposition to familial heteronormativity are countered by fairly probably the loveliest popping out scene I’ve ever needed to privilege to witness. And between them, Lewrenz and Benbow discover how this uncertainty may be significantly heightened for queer individuals and significantly bisexuals, the chances of affection that little bit much less clear lower however no much less attainable for it.
Talia Pick (Helen) and Emma Lucia (Diana) each ship profoundly transferring performances that match the honest intent of this writing. At completely different factors within the embrace and exploration of their sexual identities, there’s nonetheless a symbiotic connection between them (which is all of the extra admirable contemplating this was their first efficiency). It’s an achingly emotive hyperlink that dig deep into the feels and makes this a love story I by no means wished to finish. Superb.
PS Team À bout de souffle, at all times.