2024 Fringe Festival Review: 27 Pictures

27 Pictures is a new play written and directed by Liam Witte. The two-person show follows Lily (Erin Harvey) and Troy (Jayden Leung), as they reflect on their relationship. The show uses pictures the couple has taken on a disposable camera to tell the story of their love and the turbulent consequences that come with it. 

This show is beautifully written. Witte manages to capture the complexities of a long-term relationship with grace and accuracy. The dialogue is believable and compelling. The writing also captures the subtleties of being in love. Lily and Troy share their thoughts on soulmates and true love. But they also share silly moments over things such as a stuffed bear named Mr. Chicken Soup. This ability for two people to be able to share everything with one another makes their relationship that much more believable. Additionally, the use of photographs to represent a moment in time not only allows for good pacing, but also feels intimate and relatable. Who hasn’t spent an afternoon going through old pictures? 

While the script was strong to begin with, Harvey and Leung’s performances brought the show to a whole other level. Their ability to transition from being awkward and unsure around one another, to being casually and intimately in love, to slowly falling out of love, was exceptional. They managed to perfectly convey a love story that spanned years in a matter of an hour. Their comfort with each other was apparent. And much like the script, what really stood out to me was the subtleties included within their performances. They conveyed physical acts such as casually grabbing the other’s hand, or playing with the other’s hair extremely well. Even abstract things like the rising tension of their dwindling relationship, were small but meaningful details that added to the overall tone of the show. 

The design was simple yet effective. The set was barebones — a few boxes and fewer props. This simplicity allowed for smooth transitions between the past and present. The lack of concrete physical detail also allowed the show to be more relatable for the audience. What is theatre if not a reflection of society? By allowing the audience to focus on the characters and their emotions, and not a flashy set, the production lets the audience project their own experiences onto the show. 

Overall, 27 Pictures was a beautiful show that brought me to tears. While it may seem simple on the surface, the subtle complexities woven throughout are stirring and poignant. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic, or you just really appreciate high-quality theatre, you should get tickets for this show. 

27 Pictures is playing at the Fringe Festival until August 25.