Transient – Bridewell Theatre, Blackfriars (Camden Fringe)

Writer: Cesar Azanza 
Director: Matthew Paul

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Backwards Baggage“

3.5 / 5

When Anika and Dan first met at the baggage carousel at Heathrow, they had an immediate connection. But time has lead to disagreements, the fire that once burnt bright between them has disappeared and their break-up has hit them both hard. But how did they get there?

Told in reverse, Cesar Azanza’s intriguing relationship drama reflects back from the moment of the pairs uncoupling, right back to the moment they first meet. Naturally, due to having no build up for the characters, it takes a while to get into the storyline and begin to affiliate with them, but the more you get to know them, the more endearingly likeable they both become. The opening breakup scene flags a variety of bigger issues – such as family members and their stance on children, but also glimmers of smaller issues such as Anika’s (Vedika Haralalka) messiness or Dan’s (Cesar Azanza) reticence to open up. As we work back through their relationship, key moments are referenced, cleverly tying everything together and flagging the latter flags early on in their memories together.

Both Azanza and Haralalka do a great job of showcasing the various stages of chemistry between their characters – from the frustrated distance, to the initial coy flirting. Haralalka is wonderfully engaging, her confidence exuding immediately and commanding within each interaction. Azanza is slightly more reserved (which suits his character well), allowing his counterpart to drive the narrative further, balancing each other out nicely. Matthew Paul’s direction allows each time shift to be clear and easy to understand, though some scenes lack oomph, and would be more beneficial with a little bit more life to really drive some of the points home. The mirroring images when first meeting, to when leaving is artistically shown, and is a nice nod to the script as a whole.

There is a reference in the blurb about the the pair being immigrants, and migration being a key theme, though this feels underexplored as a whole. Other than a few basic references about them meeting at the airport or adapting to the London housing crisis, nothing more is really delved into about their backgrounds or how immigration has shaped their character or connection as a whole – implementing this slightly more could help shape some of their interactions further, and feed into the interesting relationship regression.

Runs until 13th August 2025