23.5 Hours, Park Theatre Review

Written by Eleanor for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

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23.5 Hours tells the powerful story of a family at breaking point. It follows Tom (David Sturzaker), a drama teacher, and Leigh (Lisa Dwan), a dedicated nurse, alongside their son Nicholas (Jem Matthews). What begins as a seemingly ordinary family dynamic is upended when Tom is accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student. Even after his release from prison, lingering doubts remain. Friendships and familial bonds are tested as the characters grapple with painful truths and unresolved questions.

Written by Carey Crim and directed by Katharine Farmer, 23.5 Hours is an emotionally charged drama. The play's intensity and tension draw the audience into the characters’ struggles, inviting us to both empathize with and question their motives. From start to finish, I was completely engrossed in the narrative, which builds to a satisfying and dramatic conclusion.

The play opens with Leigh tidying her home, and preparing for the day. We’re then introduced to Tom and their friends Jayne (Allyson Ava-Brown) and Bruce (Jonathan Nyati), who have just returned from seeing Tom’s school production. This mundane beginning sharply contrasts the unfolding drama. Crim’s dialogue is natural and believable, allowing the everyday setting to contrast the tension that follows. The seemingly normal scene is shattered following a phone call from the school principal. 

The narrative jumps two years ahead as Tom is released from prison, with the family and their friends bracing for his return. The uncertainty and emotional complexity of this reunion is palpable, leading to a shocking and intense confrontation. The play masterfully inserts these high moments of tension, with each encounter forcing the characters to confront Tom’s potential guilt and their wavering trust in both him and Leigh. New revelations continuously shift perspectives, keeping me on edge and deeply engaged with the moral and legal dilemmas being discussed. 

What truly stood out to me was how the ever-shifting relationships between the characters keep the drama very compelling. Lisa Dwan and David Sturzaker deliver exceptional performances as Leigh and Tom. The complexity of their relationship, which alternates between playful and warm and fractured and uncomfortable, is captured with authenticity. This drew the audience further into their emotional journey.

Their son Nic, played by Jem Matthews, is also excellent. His character is well-written and serves as a catalyst for the deep emotions of both parents. Matthews’ portrayal is measured and realistic, never becoming over dramatic, as he convincingly embodies a growing teenager caught in the midst of a family crisis.

Supporting performances from Allyson Ava-Brown as Jayne and Jonathan Nyati as Bruce add further depth. The couple represents two opposing sides of the argument for Tom’s innocence, with Nyati particularly strong in balancing his character’s loyalty to Tom and his empathy for Jayne’s doubts. 

The play’s tension builds steadily and culminated in a gripping and well-paced conclusion. 23.5 Hours maintained its realism throughout while delivering an emotionally charged story. The way they reveal the meaning of the play’s title adds an extra layer of significance to the final scenes, making for a thought-provoking and dramatic ending. It was one of the most thought-provoking endings to a play I have seen this year. 

Ultimately, it’s the dynamic relationships and the strong performances that make 23.5 Hours such a compelling watch. The play delves deep into the complexities of trust, guilt, and forgiveness, and in the hands of this talented cast, I found that these key themes resonated strongly and left a lasting impression even after I left the theatre. 

23.5 Hours is playing at Park200 Theatre until 5th October 2024.  

★ ★ ★ ★ ★