Amani Zardoe

Blackout Drayton Arms Theatre 13th October 2 Stars Young playwright Tim Cook has picked up a strong reputation within Fringe theatres, with his play Crushed picking up the award for Best New Play at this year’s Brighton Fringe. One of his earlier efforts, Blackout, is current playing at the Drayton Arms, an intriguing ‘post-apocalyptic psychological thriller’ set during a blackout in Swindon. Cynical Mark (Tim Cook) has a new next door neighbor; the hyperactive and over-imaginative Tracy (Amani Zardoe). Afflicted with this new-found darkness, they keep each other company but are alarmed to discover that they are still in darkness when the sun does not rise the next morning. It is an interesting premise and the play is peppered with some dramatic moments and sharp lines of dialogue. The main barrier seems to be that neither of the characters are particularly likeable. Mark is so misanthropic that you can’t feel … Read more