Bernadette (Orly Krupp ’25) and Oliver (Liam Delaney ’26) stand on opposite sides of the stage and deliver lines that seem oddly choppy, with the addition of seemingly arbitrary numbers added after each delivery. The lighting follows them across the stage as they utilize the few props and set pieces to tell a story of a dystopia in which everyone has a daily word count that they cannot exceed. This Department of Theater Arts performance is slightly shocking, tremendously thought provoking and believably unbelievable.
“Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons” is set in a time and place where every single person wakes up with only 140 words to be used throughout the day. This can be especially hard when you’re getting to know someone, as evidenced by Bernadette and Oliver. However, they get along swimmingly, bonding over a dead cat (yes, you read that right). Before long, our protagonists are married and living together, which produces its own challenges. It would appear from their disagreements that 140 words a piece is not enough to maintain marital peace. However, the physical inability to communicate speaks to (yes that was a pun, I’m sorry) the kinds of miscommunications that occur in any relationship.
Similar symbolism occurs when the government restricts people’s speech even further, and it becomes clear that there is a separation between the ruling class and the citizens. This theme of oppression from a privileged few can be applied to the world we live in, so this performance is timely and realistic for its audience. Bernadette and Oliver’s individual responses are also relatable to the audience, and discuss (another pun) how diversity of socioeconomic status can create conflict in a relationship. Bernadette is a lawyer who makes more money than Oliver, who is a musician and activist. As such, Bernadette would gain an exception from the increased restrictions on speech, as more words are needed to work in judicial proceedings. Oliver becomes frustrated with Bernadette’s privilege, further enforcing the theme of disparity between social classes.
Bernadette on her part represents those of us that may speak a little more than normal when put in an uncomfortable situation. It is ironic, but in a world where every word matters, Bernadette is a babbler who talks in her sleep. She puts in considerable effort, though, to ensure that she “saves” her words for the end of the day so she can talk with her husband. When this effort is not reciprocated, Bernadette becomes understandably frustrated; which is relatable as a universal in any relationship.
Through managing a loving relationship with a greatly diminished ability to speak, “Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons” conveys messages of freedom, oppression, socioeconomic privilege, resilience and protest. Oliver portrays a spitfire activist and Bernadette his more cautious but equally passionate counterpart. Through this play, the audience grows to root for their love. “Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons” was a Brandeis Theater Arts hit that left its audience speechless (one last one, promise).
