By Karla Mouncey-Jaggers

JESS and Joe Forever sounding like something you might find carved into an old tree this it seems was the idea behind it. The play is set as the audience enter; there is a worn chequered carpet on which stands speakers, microphones and an enigmatic pile of dirt. The show begins without incident as the only two performers arrive onstage to wander about making direct and awkward looks towards the audience. An immediate sign that this play will directly include us. After a few moments the lights dim and those voices within the audience questioning “Is it starting yet?” are silenced. The play tells the story of a childhood friendship that blossoms into an adolescent romance and something resembling love.

Both actors did a really good job at portraying a lot younger than they were through physical posturing and voice intonation. Although these skills were great at creating character their immature voices forced the audience to hunt for subtext and emotional depth. There are the highlighted plot points such as a comment on class divide. The use of an absent au pair immediately sets up Jess as affluent and Joe’s consistent manual work and awkwardness toward Jess’s life places him in a contrasting role. It took a long time for me to decide that I liked the piece. The direct addressing of the audience and the bickering between the characters was clunky and reminiscent of a student production. Some of the plot points were glaringly obvious like Jess’s emotional state. She was constantly referred to as “Fat” by herself, Joe and other off stage characters. It was no surprise that this became a focal point later in the play.

Contrastingly, Joe’s emotional state however was completely shrouded in subtlety, whilst leading the audience in one direction I was stunned when towards the end of the show the penny dropped. Without being too revealing, I want to point out that Joe’s issue is important in today’s adolescence and youth. As a placid audience member I was thrilled by the reveal of the twist but I was slightly saddened to think this poignant issue was not addressed explicitly earlier on. I feel very much that I would like to watch it again having known what I know now.

Having talked to other audience members this sense of frustration I felt at having to connect the dots in some areas and then not think at all at other times was something a lot of them mirrored. However after further thought I can’t help thinking about one line from Joe “The edges stuff is really little”.
This play wanted us to forget the emotional depth, forget the deeper meaning and forget the immaturity of the story telling. This play was really about love and to really enjoy it you need to remember that. Try to forget the edges and focus on what you are actually seeing and hearing. Gender, sexuality and class; these are unimportant when you realise what you are watching which is acceptance and love. Although I spent a lot of Jess and Joe Forever with a confused frown on my face it is a piece that has stuck with me and a day later I’m finding my thoughts drawn back to it. Although flawed at times, this play is really worth seeing.