Replay

Both witnesses to the event, as John and Peter rehash the details it becomes apparent that their memories don’t entirely match. Suddenly a revelation appears from nowhere, which alters the course of their lives and ultimately their very relationships and existence.

Replay is somewhat of a supernatural story told in minimal fashion, with no trickery in either script or production values. A simple couch frames the stage for all of the story. Rather than allude to the forces that might be at play, causing the commotion, the script focuses instead on the characters’ experiences throughout; a sort of Sliding Doors experience where futures collide and alter as the memories of the past fade and dissipate. The audience never gets to the bottom of the cause of this seismic shift, and the play seems to be a commentary on collective memory and experience through time.

Excellent performances abound from Gooley, Finsterer and newcomer Gledhill, with a colour-blind cast of brothers a nice touch. It does, however, not come without its detractions, as a few short subplots emerge with new characters, leaving the audience confused as to their meaning and place in the bigger story. All in all, however, it’s an interesting experiment in supernatural theatre from a new voice.