How much do you really know your neighbours? How much are you willing to know about your neighbours? These are some of the questions posed by Tarragon Theatre and Green Light Arts Productions’ piece The Neighbours. Set in a quiet suburb, the audience is treated to a story told directly to them by Simon (Tony Nappo) and Denise (Ordena Stephens-Thompson). Now, why this couple can see us and interact with us directly is one of a few unanswered questions and threads that the story picks up and never really addresses or expands but it does a provide a vehicle for the performances of Nappo and Stephens-Thompson to really shine. Beside them on stage is their neighbour Au Yeung Wei (Richard Tse) whose role writing and direction-wise feels underdeveloped despite having some interesting connecting moments.

Simon and Denise tell us a story about their past neighbour, a man whom they would come to find out committed horrific acts I will not spoil here. As they both retell and re-investigate the story, their own connections to this neighbour are unfolded in ways that deeply disturb both them and the audience. This is a family that, whether they realize it or not before they start talking, are still living in a fractured neighbourhood that has been traumatized- symbolism that Kelly Wolf’s set picks up in a beautiful design that resembles both the neighbourhood and the damage inflicted on it.

Nappo and Stephens-Thompson’s performances are the highlight of this show. Their chemistry is fun and natural. They are written as almost the quintessential sitcom couple. Nappo’s Simon is funny with great timing, vaguely problematic at times, and when his man of the house façade slips, it reveals a deep hurt and pain that Nappo does not shy away from. Stephens-Thompson’s Denise plays a foil as the wife who must constantly rein in her husband with no filter, and she gets her own moments of painful realization and discovery of agency that carries the strength of her character’s history and resolve. Tse’s character is a little less successful. There are interesting connecting moments he has with the story retelling happening beside him, but it feels that more could have been done with this character.

In truth, the feeling of underdevelopment is reflected in the writing. The dialogue is strong and there are genuine interesting and complex topics brought up- topics around the bystander effect and how natural it is to turn a blind eye rather than confront potentially devastating truths, the guilt of complicity whether it was intentional or not. However, there are threads that are teased but not followed through or explored further. The insidious implication of some neighbour relationships, toxic marriages, feelings of being trapped in emotional cages. The ending feels almost unfinished as if we were just starting to really peel back all the layers of these characters and potentially reveal more truths.

While there is more that could have been done story and production-wise, The Neighbours is worth visiting to spend some time with these excellent performers. Despite what Mr. Rogers may say, sometimes it is not a beautiful day in the neighbourhood.