Rhomboid review | Melbourne Fringe Festival | fortyfivedownstairs

Some relationships seem destined to happen, yet somehow never quite do. Rhomboid follows Xavier and Sebastian from their teenage years into adulthood as they repeatedly drift towards each other, away from each other and occasionally back again. Eric Jiang's play explores attraction, friendship and all the complications that come with trying to work out what someone means to you when life keeps getting in the way.

Ken Paolo and Lawrence Hawkins as Xavier and Sebastian, share an easy, appealing chemistry, and it is unfortuante not to see the story delve further into their relationship. There is enough between the pair to suggest that, with more depth and development, that chemistry could have really caught fire. Chad Rosete plays the supporting roles of Felix and Lachie, doing a great job of becoming a different counterpart to each man at various points in their lives.

Unfortunately, the script doesn't really convey that connection. It is often confusing to determine how frequently Xavier and Sebastian meet over the years, or how long they have been apart when they do meeta, as there is no clear sense of time or structure. The costumes change, but not enough to establish when or where we are, while the abstract set of square and rectangular blocks offers little in the way of props or scenery to help orient us.

With such a minimal set, the production needs to make good use of space, movement and performance to differentiate the periods of their lives and the changing nature of the relationship, but these distinctions remain hard to discern.

There are also scenes where it is difficult to understand exactly what is happening between the two men. Early on, it sounds as though Xavier and Sebastian are already dating, yet when Xavier visits Sebastian's house, they behave nervously around each other, as if they have never met. Later, it becomes unclear whether they are dating, in an open relationship, seeing other people or simply sleeping with other people. As a result, when frustration, anger, envy or jealousy emerge, it is unclear what is driving those feelings or whether they are justified.

There is a lot to like in the idea behind Rhomboid, particularly in its exploration of a relationship that refuses to fit neatly into a conventional romance. Paolo and Hawkins bring enough warmth and chemistry to make you want to see where Xavier and Sebastian might end up, even when the story itself doesn't always make that destination clear. If only the production had given us more reason to invest in the journey.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Season: until 11 October | Tues - Sat 7pm, Sun 3pm
Duration: 90 minutes

Tickets: $45 Full | $35 Conc
Bookings: Melbourne Fringe Festival

Image credit: George Jefford