Based on the real-life experiences of writer, Nimrod Danishman, Borders comes to VAULT Festival telling a tragic love story set in the turmoil of Middle Eastern conflict. Directed by Neta Gracewell, the production uses that conflict as a backdrop to modern day dating.
George and Boaz ‘meet’ on a popular gay dating app. Boaz is visiting his mother before returning to University in Jerusalem, and while the app tells them they are separated by only twenty kilometres, any chance of a hook-up is dashed when the pair realise one is in Israel and the other is in Lebanon, and a border that cannot be crossed stands in their way.
A physical border exists on stage too, with Ethan Cheek’s set design featuring a moveable and flexible barrier that bends and shapes to meet the needs of the scene. Though unable to come face to face, George and Boaz strike up a relationship, which is spoken to us as the chat messages they exchange via the app.
The pair do have options and talk about meeting in Berlin, but the political and military situation makes this difficult. It puts a strain on the relationship too, it’s not just the risk of enemies talking during war, but the psychological strain Boaz in particular feels when tensions between the two states escalates.
Borders is written with a tenderness that’s rare to find on stage, the conversations are revealing and exposing, but feel natural and highlight the trusting bond that has been established. There’s a danger in a short show that this could have felt rushed, but here it’s handled beautifully.
There are moments of real sensuality, but the richest moments come when the characters are sharing the most intimate moments of their lives. Tarik Badwan and Yaniv Yafe, George and Boaz respectively, work wonderfully well together, and create a partnership that is not only believable, but one the audience is more than willing to invest in.
“Everyone wants a home, so they become drifters”, says George, as the story explores both history, and the current situation of the Middle East. Borders is a tender and touching love story that’s tinged with sadness, but Danishman’s script burns with passion, and more importantly, hope.
VAULT Festival 2023 runs Tuesday 24th January to Sunday 19th March, full listings and ticket information can be found here.
