1:17 am, or until the words run out is a powerful two-hander play starring Catherine Ashdown (as Katie) and Eileen Duffy (as Roni).

Katie is sorting out her late brother’s belongings in his bedroom before the removers arrive in the morning, arranged by their mother. You get a strong sense of the dysfunctional dynamics through this initial conversation between Katie and Roni. As their Mother isn’t interested in seeing or sorting out his belongings. Katie appears to be there out of a sense of duty.

Upstairs in the house, a party is in full swing with her brother’s friends who are making the most of their last night there. Roni wants to join them but feels compelled to stay and clear the air between her and Katie. Despite Katie’s hostility towards her at first.

The two characters had been very close friends, but Katie finding out about Roni and her brother having a “thing” together drove a wedge between them. When you have been friends with someone long enough sometimes you don’t need to say very much to speak a thousand words. This is written into play beautifully as you read between the lines by following the reactions of each of the characters.

There are a lot of secrets wrapped up in their sides of the story. Roni has hidden a dark and disturbing part of her relationship with Katie’s brother. Which is never fully disclosed or discussed. Their closeness allows unspoken words to be understood and acknowledged by the audience, do pay close attention.

Writer Zoe Hunter Gordon captures what it means to have close friendships through the unspoken dialogue that only close friends share, a look or a single word can trigger a host of reactions that the outside world will not understand. Alongside
Director Sarah Stacey who times the distance and closeness between the characters perfectly in time with their dialogue. Along with the messy chaotic mess in the brothers room which matches the energy of the play.

1:17 am, or until the words run out offers a raw and hard-hitting insight into friendship, love and loss. Nobody is guilty or innocent they are simply trying to navigate life in different ways to get through difficult situations. However, part of me wanted them to rekindle the friendship they had and be there for one another as life is challenging.

For more information about 1:17am, or until the words run out and future productions at The Finborough Theatre please use the link below.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Una Burnand.

https://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/