If That's All There Is
Image: Joseph Alford
It’s her special day, but Frances’ new husband is ruining it. His wedding speech is just so boring. Who cares about the two different types of cake—“one’s made of cheese”—and who cares about the flower arrangements. Getting more exasperated by the minute, it is clear Frances cannot take much more. But as her face contorts and her breathing gets heavier and heavier, fate intervenes…
Daniel is shot dead.
Skipping back in time to the weeks and months before their wedding day If That’s All There Is tells the story of one couple’s struggle to cope in an increasingly alien world. Daniel and Frances are both stuck in dead end jobs, and while Frances is on the brink of a complete nervous Daniel goes to see a shrink who turns out to be even crazier than the pair of them.
Ostensibly about the pair’s marriage preparations, If That’s All There Is is a message of disenchantment with the modern world. The premise of the wedding is an allegory for life at large: one can spend all their time building up to one particular event, job or vision of the good life only to get their and realise all isn’t what it was cracked up to be. The couple’s madness is an expression of profound disillusionment. This is all hammered home with a poignant musical rendition of Peggy Lee’s iconic song “Is That All There Is?”
While a quite interesting production, it all feels a little superficial. It’s funny, but in an obvious and rather cheap way. And as a piece of drama, it certainly isn’t abundant in emotional depth.
I couldn't disagree more. This show was tip top. I am relieved however after reading this review to know that it is not a matter of differing opinions, but rather of what seems to be wholly unevolved understanding of our condition. I don't think this reviewer is like us. I will illustrate:
"It’s her special day, but Frances’ new husband is ruining it." - clearly this is not what happens. There is nothing inherently special about the day to any of the characters, the audience, or the playwright.
"His wedding speech is just so boring. Who cares about the two different types of cake—“one’s made of cheese”—and who cares about the flower arrangements." - the speech isn't boring to Frances, it's excruciating . Existence is excruciating to her at that moment of the play.
"Daniel is shot dead." - not really. This is misleading, as i it insinuates that the "murder" a plot point, which it isn't.
"Daniel goes to see a shrink who turns out to be even crazier than the pair of them."
- actually the shrink is sort of the only sane character.
"Ostensibly about the pair’s marriage preparations, If That’s All There Is is a message of disenchantment with the modern world." - I think it is more specific than that. I think this is a very irresponsible and imprecise statement.
"The premise of the wedding is an allegory for life at large: one can spend all their time building up to one particular event, job or vision of the good life only to get their and realise all isn’t what it was cracked up to be." - isn't everything an allegory, then?
"While a quite interesting production, it all feels a little superficial. It’s funny, but in an obvious and rather cheap way. And as a piece of drama, it certainly isn’t abundant in emotional depth." - I don't want to keep contradicting. i have made my point, I think. After this, I basically know I can use this reviewer to cross things off. It's not without value, but it's not what you want really, either. Emotional depth?!?! What is this person talking about!?!?