Review by Alice
Here we have a writer who's asking a question, but in truth I don't think they've fully decided or worked out what that question is, or needs to be.
The play is sold as a psychological thriller, it isn't. It's about human condition.
We are introduced to a waiting room The Doctor, Dr Wilison (played by Mary Kathryn Brown) presents us all with information about her experiment.
Mary herself was engaging, but a slight line stumble at the start unsettled me. I don't care if you've lost a line, but you must stay in character. This she does not do. A real shame as overall she was good.
As a short bit of time passes we meet the rest of the cast, two highlights of the cast for me were Grace Hoy playing Piper and Paris Finch as Booker Davis. Both had good stage presence and Paris has a brilliant breakdown.
Sam Wade as Lonnie was also nice, but in some ways the character was under developed. We oddly learn a lot of backstory that doesn't evolve into anything relevant. The weaker links were sadly Magda Riha playing Elliana, and Zakiya Hall as Nia Keeley.
A pet peeve of mine which plays and playwrights sometimes do, is introducing someone by adding an over-the-top behavioural trait that has no real relevance than for a cheap laugh, in a piece where it isn't needed. It just isn't funny. 'Are you a hugger?' then to go in for a hug with a medical professional...maybe in rehearsal space around your friends this is funny, but in truth? Its a tired troup.
As the play moves along, we see a timer. We discover that they have 45 minutes to save themselves (no other spoilers). We are provided with good medical input and some physiological theory, of sorts. But as a piece, it just isn't strong enough.
But (and it's a big but), I think with more time and better workshopping it could be a REALLY good play.
What the piece does well (and what its director Katie Gavin does well) is use the small, tight space excellently. Movement is minimal but effective. Overlapped lines executed with precision are very effective and gave the piece a realistic feel.
Costumes must've been lovely to do here, nothing too complex, but I wonder whether they could have been a little more clever with it?
You can give us so much more about a character's persona, and I feel like they missed a trick.
For a first time at Edinburgh, which isn't easy, this team does well. Hopefully they'll return next year and if so, I'd be interested in seeing what else they can achieve.
⭐⭐
00:45:00 runs at the Edinburgh Fringe until Friday 28th August. Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/00-45-00
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