The set is a grey trapezoid lined with antiquated filing cabinets, a dusty vista bathed in yellow warehouse lighting. Martin (played by Amit Lahav) shuffles around the space muttering and whispering to himself, moving files and trying – or pretending – to stay upbeat. A harsh spotlight stays his hand as he reaches for a particular file and it becomes clear that he’s being watched.

Gecko Theatre’s Institute, created by Lahav – the company’s Artistic Director – explores the complexities of care and human relationships in a disconnected world. Daniel (Chris Evans) joins Martin on stage and it emerges that he has his own forbidden files, memories of voices and light that spray from the cabinets.

The pair dance in the dim space, their movements extending the prosaic tics and gestures of everyday anxieties and victories into something more elegant. Their dancing is accompanied by an exchange of encouraging comments as they prop each other up emotionally, against sweet electronically rendered folk music.

Everything about this production is crafted with an exquisite, almost obsessive attention to detail. Martin and Daniel duet an extended unison monologue – one side of a conversation with their boss or overseer –...