Martin Ball (Philip) / Emma Kelly (Davina) / Louise Bangay (Alice) One of Those

Tristan Bates

26 January 2016

2 stars

This new comedy by Thomas Ward-Thomas attempts to subvert modern British stereotypes of age and background. Unfortunately, his characters are unconvincing, and despite occasional bouts of witty dialogue, the play fails to offer a profound insight.

On a long train journey from London to Penzance, two twenty-something strangers start an unlikely friendship. Laura is a Brick Lane bimbo with spelling difficulties, while James is a posh boy from Battersea who went to boarding school. They bond as they realise there is more than meets the eye, but it becomes a competition of who can be more surprising. As the acting unconvincingly flickers between outrage and understanding, they develop a flirtation that feels rather contrived.

Tom Ward-Thomas (James)

Meanwhile in the next hapless carriage, divorce lawyer Phillip and his tight-dressed mistress, are confronted by his wife Alice . The effort to subvert stereotypes goes from overdone in the first act, to seemingly forgotten here. The vivacious young mistress and the aggrieved wife virtually parody their characters, resulting in predictable gags hinged on dubious gender politics.

As the lives from one carriage merge with the other, the play descends into farce and the promise to bring new understanding is lost.

One Of Those runs at the Tristan Bates Theatre until 13 February 2016