Harrismith – “a place of fragments” – is the setting of this quaint and thought-provoking indie-style musical. In a subtle and gentle way, the hour-long piece explores complex ideas such as memory, ownership, and the act of naming, as well as the implications involved. Despite the characters’ differing views in terms of remaining and always being on the move, both Harri and Smyth seem to be lost. Through their interactions they investigate the notion of identity as separate-to or inseparable-from home. Fragmentation is made evident as the overarching theme through gaps in the memory and logic of the characters. The production’s unchanging set, single guitar accompaniment, and two characters create a simplicity that is effective for communication and pleasant for the audience.
