Darlings

C aquila (Venue 21)

Gabe and Eve are a couple – or are they? Frequently, due to the shifting flashback-andforth nature of this Palomar Theatre production, it’s hard to fathom the exact nature of their relationship.

Initially, they’re mildly flirtatious but a waitress at a bar introduces a sliver of jealousy – and possibly ambiguous sexuality – which leads, improbably, to the woman in question appearing in their dreams brandishing puppets enacting respective childhood traumas.

While the puppetry is effective, the script is constructed to confuse and the dialogue clunkingly unconvincing.

It’s decently performed but the ending seems more of a placeholder rather than a conclusion.

Until 27 August. Today 1:20pm.