A teacher, Miss Taylor, dealing with a difficult student.

Snap. 

A young man, Stu, his typical Sunday is interrupted by something extraordinary. 

Catch. 

A divorced mother, Karen, waiting for her young daughter to return home from a play date.

Slam.

Each word describes the moment that changed it all. 

A small stage upstairs at the Tuxedo Cat is set up with 5 chairs, the play starts as all five actors take their seat. The actors take it in turns to tell their story, it’s like a one sided conversation that quickly escalates to the critical moment, the snap, the catch and the slam. 

There is a huge demand on the actors, as it is just them telling the story with a small amount of movement, but all five them, especially the three leads, create the entire scene, there’s no need for elaborate sets or props. It’s mesmerising, sending shivers down the audiences spine, goose bumps are formed and tears threaten to fall. 

We start with Shian Denovan who plays Miss Taylor. Endearing and engaging, Denovan captures the harrowing climax of her story perfectly. It’s intense and terrifying. 

A blackout signifies the change in story.

Spotlight zooms in on Victor Gralak, who plays Stu, with the aid of Abigail King and Andrew Pantelis he creates their story. Stu paints the picture of his typical Sunday, his bacon butty, his game of football and then slowly builds the scene of this atypical Sunday, with a mother and father (King and Pantelis) joining him to build a powerful tableau depicting the scene of this stories climax. 

Another blackout and finally we focus on Sarah Plummer playing Karen, the only one with a prop, a bowl and wooden spoon. Constantly checking the clock she waits, anxiety building. Through her monologue the audience puts information together, like a puzzle, until all is revealed with a slam. Plummer expertly handles the denouement. 

When it wasn’t their turn to speak or be part of the story the actors sit looking straight ahead, but still emanating their characters. 

In such a small amount of time playwright Emma Jowett has created complex characters, that are familiar and real. Sound designer David Kotlyar has created the perfect backing track to accompany and enhance the play, from classroom sound effects to the perfect timing of a crescendo. The sound creates the atmosphere and is key to the impeccable pacing of the stories. 

It is no wonder that the play has just had a successful run at the Edinburgh fringe, and a tour of the UK. You’ll leave the theatre stunned, potentially needing a drink and wanting to talk about the incredible show you’ve just seen.