By Anne-Louise Fortune

Supernova, at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, is a play that tackles a difficult subject and does so through an authentic geekiness that is embedded in the heart of the story and the narrative world.

This is a two-person show, which follows Tess (Rhiannon Needs), and Harry (Sam Swann), as they meet, form a relationship, and fall into the usual routine of 20-somethings living in London. So far, so generic. But when Tess and Harry meet, she’s dressed as a space traveller, and he’s dressed as the Eleventh Doctor – complete with Fez. The two are both geeks – deeply into a range of now iconic media, from Doctor Who to Star Wars, via Tolkien and even Space Jam. There’s a deep authenticity to this – both Tess and Harry are keen fans, and Tess, in particular, has plainly hyper-focused on specific aspects of the things she enjoys – but it never feels too much. Tess and Harry are into what they’re into, and it never feels like they’re trying too hard. Tess is also an actual scientist, a fact that is commonplace amongst sci-fi fans. Specifically, she’s a physicist with an interest in planets and stars, a subject which forms a thread running throughout the narrative of the show. 

Needs has also written the script, and it’s a carefully, tightly realised exploration of both one relationship and one woman’s mental health journey. As the play continues through short, snappy scenes that advance the plot with streamlined efficiency, it becomes obvious that Tess is not OK. It’s possible for the audience to realise this before the characters do, as Tess overreacts to some of Harry’s comments and behaviours, and we realise that she is becoming more distant from her other friends, who are unseen but ever less present in the phone calls that form early ‘cut scenes’.

This, then, is a play that deals with women’s mental health. This follows on from roughly a decade of much-needed cultural conversations about men’s mental health and how they can have discussions with other men about what concerns them. The conversation for women is a little different – often dismissed by the health service, and, as in Tess’ case, finding themselves left behind as their female friends form their own romantic relationships, get married, have children, and move away from the beating heart of the city to quiet suburbia. It can be hard for women like Tess, trying to figure out who they are, to find people to confide in, and to have those difficult but needed conversations with. Eventually, Harry forces the situation, Tess forces the end of their relationship, and a careful conclusion is reached. 

This play needed two things to work well – good writing and compelling chemistry between the two leads as they go from strangers to lovers to estranged acquaintances. Luckily, both of those aspects are in top form here. Needs’ script weaves lightness with darker moments, effectively demonstrating that even when a person is going through bad times, it’s still possible to have moments of humour. The chemistry between Needs and Swann is believable, and you feel for Harry as he tries to support Tess but still gets rejected.

This is an enjoyable but potentially challenging piece of theatre, which uses the bigger idea of Earth’s place in the universe to mirror Tess’ concerns with her place in the world. Just don’t say that your favourite planet is Pluto. 

Supernova continues at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham until May 13th. Details here: www.omnibus-clapham.org