Where Are You My Only One?

Overview

In this globalised age, the big wide world is no longer. At the mere touch of a button perfect strangers on opposite sides of the world can connect. Where are you my only one? is an unconventional love story that spans time zones; a search for hope, happiness and friendship in the most unlikely of places.

Yulia's husband has left her. Bob's wife has left him. In a small apartment in Moscow, Yulia is worried about the fate of her aging mother and son, Dimitri. Meanwhile, on a relatively large dairy farm in the Waikato, Bob craves company other than his cows. Through their courage to pick themselves up and start again, Bob and Yulia find one another and become united in their search from something more.

Originally written by Rhodes as a short play and inspired by true stories of 'mail order brides' (and kiwi dairy farmers) ,Where are you my only one? has expanded into the first full length work from Vanessa Rhodes. The depth of the characters and carefully constructed dialogues, with a strong cast to deliver them are  testament to the potential of this young writer.

With not much more than a couple of tables and a few chairs, director Cameron Rhodes makes magic. The quality and entertainment value of Where are you my only one? is a credit to everyone involved, but the dynamic and convincing performances were what really brought the story to life. Elena Stejko as Yulia is compelling to watch, torn between loyalty and desire—and her very traditional Russian mama—playing out  the age old battle of tradition versus a better, brighter future. Hawthorne brings pizzazz and class to her role as proud and conservative Lumila, while David Aston is perfectly cast as the humble, dependable Robert Maclean.

Where are you my only one? strikes a balance between being dark, emotional and funny. It's certainly not your average love story and the dramatic changes in mood and intensity will keep you guessing to the very end.

We always want a little more of a good thing and even though I left feeling satisfied, I happily would have returned for seconds.