one4review | On 02, Aug 2025

Always, Sometimes, Maybe is an ambitious solo show that blends sweet humour, physical theatre, and moments of audience participation to explore loneliness and the difficulty of forming connections.

The protagonist, a janitor, begins with a light-hearted routine of turning lights on/off, ticking things off their to-do list, and sorting rubbish into “good” and “bad” piles. You’d be forgiven for thinking we were about to have an hour of whimsy; you’d be wrong. As the janitor discovers stories behind discarded items, the performance introduces a series of characters, including Bill, a widower depicted through mask work and shadow puppetry, and Marge, a chain-smoker inexplicably stuck down a well.

Each set piece explores moments of loss or isolation, yet the tone shifts frequently, from comedic improvisation to emotional monologues and back again. I felt like I was watching several different shows stitched together.

Michele Stine’s physicality and acting skills are undeniable. The show’s strongest moments come when she transforms mundane trash into living characters and animals or when she playfully interacts with the audience, like encouraging a volunteer to help “fix” a puppet’s heart. She shines in the silliness, but this show feels more like a showcase of her acting talents than the writing of the piece.

The end brings up the themes of social awkwardness and neurodivergence, as the janitor explains her loneliness comes from having difficulty understanding social cues to the point where she’s made a list of exactly how to cope socially. We’re then asked to shout out advice on how to be a good friend, with suggestions forming the phrase ‘Always, Sometimes, Maybe,’ a simple yet heartfelt reminder that connection is rarely straightforward.

The biggest challenge here is pacing. With various threads, emotional beats often clash; moments of deep sadness are followed too quickly by silliness without giving us time to breathe, which weakens their impact.

The clown makeup felt disconnected from some of the more serious content, and as I left, I felt myself ask, why exactly was she in clown makeup? The show, while full of heart and moments of brilliance, is still in the process of shaping itself, currently more of an engaging experiment than a fully polished piece.

***1/2
Reviewed by Matthew
Greenside Willow Studio
13.55 (1hr)
Until 23 Aug (not 10 or 17)