Two Rounds
In "Two Rounds", Aslant Theatre Company contrasts the vibrant 60s with the 90s, capturing two generations of women navigating #feminism & changing social norms. This domestic dramedy, the brainchild of Cristina Comencini, translated into English by Aida Rocci, unfolds in a kaleidoscope of colours & emotions, mapping the journey from being confined to the #home to the barbed liberation of #career life…
The first act is a time capsule, returning us to 1960s Italy, where gal pals Claudia, Gabriella, Sofia, & Beatrice gather weekly around a card table 🃏 Their discussions revolve around the often bittersweet realities of #marriage & motherhood, each woman marked by her unique struggle. The costumes, vibrant & symbolic, create an emotionally complex, #retro tableau…
Fast forward three decades ⏭️ The daughters of these spirited women face their own crossroads, yet the absence of #children in their lives speaks volumes. Through them, the play questions if true liberation has been achieved or if #new chains have replaced the old. Kids are no longer a given for the #grunge generation, but the game is still rigged with societal expectations…
However, "Two Rounds" feels caught in a temporal rift, its dialogue resonating with a bygone era's feminism. In today's landscape, the conversation has stretched beyond the binary of motherhood vs career to embrace a more nuanced understanding of womanhood. It feels like watching a rerun of #Friends 📺: visually nostalgic 🤩, at times hilarious 😂, but slightly out of sync with the times 🤔…
Despite this, the strength of this play lies in its heartfelt performances, the meticulous design that bridges generations, and the #laughter that punctuates its sombre reflections 👏🏽 Though the characters occasionally feel generic, each is brought to life with impeccable comedic timing…
All told, ”Two Rounds" is an eloquent reminder of the progress made & the journey still ahead. It’s a peek into the past with a foot in the present, wrapped in a package that’s both a critique & a celebration of feminism across the ages. ⭐3/5