The Ticking | Drayton Arms Theatre

What kind of reactions will four friends have when faced with an unsolvable dilemma in a confined space? The Ticking, presented by Cellar Door Theatre Company, directed by Victoria Hansell and written by Adam Paul Brown (who also plays Jay), delivers an entertaining 70 minutes built around this very scenario.

Mike (Aaron Barrow), Hugo (Jack Cavendish), Jay (Brown), and Connor (TJ Dudley) wake up in an apartment with no memory of what happened the day before or how they got there. What they do know is that they are stuck here, their phones have no signal, and worst of all, there’s a ticking time bomb in the confined space with them. Although they attempt to deal with the situation, not only do they fail to defuse the bomb, but their already fragile relationships become even more strained.

The small space at the Drayton Arms Theatre is put to excellent use. A sofa, a table, two chairs, a cabinet, and a few props are all it takes to bring the apartment to life. The jingle-like music (Brittany Rex) is always perfectly timed, adding a touch of absurdity and humor to the chaotic scenes.

Each of the four friends has a distinct personality, creating a strong and balanced dynamic. Among them, Barrow and Cavendish give particularly memorable performances. Barrow’s portrayal of Mike shows a character who is timid, anxious, and a bit cowardly. However, instead of being off-putting, he comes across as innocent and even a little endearing. Cavendish’s Hugo is self-absorbed and stubborn, often going on long-winded rants about his proudly held beliefs. However, he always keeps the audience intrigued and wondering what he might do next. Brown plays Jay as the most proactive member of the group, showing confidence and composure while frequently taking the lead in trying to solve the situation. Connor, played by Dudley, speaks less than the others and comes across as honest, grounded, and practical.

For most of the performance, the story keeps the audience engaged and focused without becoming tiring. However, when the mystery is finally revealed, it does not manage to raise the level of tension as much as expected, leading to a slight sense of disappointment. Even Rea Mole’s portrayal of Lucy, who maintains a calm yet menacing presence, is not enough to fully shift the atmosphere.

In the final ten minutes, the script appears determined to explain everything and wrap up all the details. But sometimes, leaving a few questions unanswered can actually make a story more compelling. Still, The Ticking easily gets the audience to laugh and become invested in the characters' outcomes, which is already a significant success.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review