Tragedy, communication and physical expression are the driving forces behind the exuberant and subtle performance of Near Gone, which is brilliantly performed by Katherine Radeva and Alister Lownie. Radeva delivers her dialogue in Bulgarian and Lownie instantly translates it into English. This could potentially be annoying, having to wait to hear the English translation before understanding the dictation. However no such emotion is on show. Radeva describes the people of Sofia, the weather and the architecture. Her performance is so evocative and Lownie’s translations so precise it is easy to forget the words were not in English in the first place.

There is a darkness to the performance though. White roses are neatly laid out to either side of the stage and by the time the performance ends, these flowers are spread all over the floor. The destruction occurs during dance segments that express Radeva’s emotion and frustration. We learn of a tragedy that occurs to her four year old sister. This story is delivered with raw passion and integrity, making Near Gone a powerful and expressive piece of theatre. The roses spread across the stage create a striking image and the precise and subtle performances from both Radeva and Lownie are as fascinating as they are compelling.