5:45 | Theatreship

5:45 is a solo show written and performed by Abi Watkinson and directed by Eve Hartley that follows the anxiety-ridden, compulsive protagonist navigating the challenges of a corporate life and the struggles of personal relationships in a rapidly changing world. 

Inspired by herself, Watkinson's character is a compulsive person who wakes up at 5:45 everyday with a to-do list of twenty or so items that must be checked off throughout the day (whilst working in accounts at a food packaging company). Every day follows a strict routine, and anything out of the line can and will throw her off. When Liza, her manager's position becomes available and Watkinson's infuriatingly relaxed colleague Tamara applies for the job, Watkinson finds herself spiralling at the very thought and ends up applying and getting the job herself. At a celebratory party for this promotion however, Watkinson's world comes crashing down around her when her douchebag of a boyfriend of four years breaks up with her. With a new sense of independence and confidence, Watkinson steps out of her strict regime and straight into an incident that changes everything. 

Watkinson has done a brilliant job at creating a show that really takes audiences into the inner thoughts of the character whilst also creating a larger framework of the world around her. Switching between multiple characters and herself in various conversations, Watkinson's performance allows her the space to show off her acting skills, but it's the anxiety ridden protagonist that audiences really connect with. Despite the specific habits and many pet peeves, Watkinson has created a character that feels so relatable and authentic, paying attention to details to really bring the character alive. The dialogue is snappy, whether in conversation with other characters, the throwaway comments to the audience, or the fast internal thoughts, the pacing of the piece is fast and bursts onto stage with an undeniable likeability. Watkinson makes the uptight character endearing, with her moments of emotional depth between the otherwise rigid persona that she's become. 

Watkinson's writing is particularly fascinating as she pulls back the curtains on her protagonist, as audiences are given honest confessions regarding her romantic relationship. This is perhaps when the truth of her current predicament comes through clearest, admitting how much of an inconvenience this loveless relationship is and craving the security of a stable life causes the longevity of it. This is further examined when Tamara titles a document with a slight change and it sends Watkinson into a fury. Audiences may not be able to decide whether they side with the character's choices and attitude, but they can understand and maybe even relate to it. Every thought, whether big or small, is relayed with microscopic precision and this really enables audiences to find pieces of themselves reflected on stage. 

It is also for this reason that the painful twist towards the end of the show makes such an impact. When a scenario so bad that it had never even crossed her mind occurs, the protagonist's world is shattered and the uptight woman unravels before the audience's eyes through a strong performance from Watkinson. The show may only be 45 minutes, and the events of the play may only be a few days, if that, but the magnitude of storytelling that Hartley and Watkinson have fit into the show is impressive. 

5:45 is a show about fear, choices, consequences and identity. The show draws in audiences, keeps them engaged with a clear momentum and then leaves them with a note of self-reflection.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review