Our performer James Ladanyi derives the title of his show from this quote: “The job of the poet is to remember where the water holes are. When his people forget where the water is, the poet can lead them to it.” Being a bit of a verse maker myself, I approve of the sentiment expressed.

Where the Water Lies is the debut production of theatre company CONTINUUM and takes place at Meanwhile Gallery on Willis Street. They are to be commended on a quality production featuring a young New Zealand performer – a recent graduate from drama school in Bristol.

Ladanyi has written a lengthy, poetic and highly reflective piece on the theme of serendipity – a word that means happy chance. I’m not convinced that everything he relates is indeed happy, but he makes his narrative work nonetheless.

He likens serendipity to a Rubik’s cube in terms of the possibilities it represents. Whether it’s weather (is this guy prescient I’m wondering?) or having a beer with friends, or driving to the beach, or contemplating a potential girlfriend, events can be seen to work out unexpectedly and for the best.

Ladanyi brings plenty of energy to his monologue. But a solo work of this kind holds particular challenges, chiefly that of maintaining audience attention. The narrative we’re hearing needs to be varied and relieved, perhaps by more musical interludes. Above all, our performer should slow his delivery and pay attention to the ends of words. I lose several, though to be fair acoustics in the space used (Meanwhile Gallery) are not the best.     

In a narration like this, the power of the pause cannot be overrated. We heard about many incidents and experiences, interspersed with philosophical reflection. We needed these changes in subject matter to be signalled, and pausing is the most effective way to do that. The audience remains quietly attentive throughout, and I’m sure everyone is happy with the performer’s serendipitous concluding story.

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