Cockfosters

The company is led by Sam Rees-Bailey and Beth Lilly whose characters have recently returned to Heathrow after two unsuccessful trips abroad.  Beth, playing Tori, had gone to find herself but had instead found Tequila and a month-long hangover, whilst Sam had gone on a romantic trip for two on his own, after breaking up with his fiancé!  They find themselves thrust together on a rattling carriage travelling the 53 stations up the Piccadilly Line to Cockfosters.   Cue the other people who join them for various periods of time at various points of the journey.  We encounter the American tourist who is lost but unwilling of course to listen to any advice, and the people all reading the same book while ignoring each other.  But there is much, much more, with characters arriving and leaving, changing the dynamic at every point, and even a gameshow thrown into the mix.  The natural stop-start way of the tube allows for quick plot changes, and as in real life, you are never quite sure who you will encounter next!

The stars of this production are certainly the ensemble: Natasha Vasandani, Amy Bianchi, Ed Bowles, Harry Bradley and Kit Loyd who interchange (yes there’s another pun) roles in the tap of an oyster card adding to the chaos and fun.  A simple set, helpful soundscape and quality sound and light all add to this show landing safely at its final destination.