WHEN TIME MOVES DIFFERENTLY

By Natasha U’Ren-Ashdown | @tasha.ua ⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Time feels like it moves differently depending on who you spend it with. While We Wait by Craig “Doe” Wilmann turns this simple idea into a tender and occasionally hilarious exploration of love, illness and the strange elasticity of memory. The play follows the chance first meeting between male nurse Lee (Ricky Oakley) and patient Trudy (Kirsten Callaghan), and the year that unfolds afterwards.

Over the course of the play, that encounter develops into a relationship told through fragmented moments, from waiting rooms to shared flights, as the pair grapple with illness, identity and the issue of time. The staging is notably inventive. One particularly memorable scene sees the blocks rearranged in seconds to become an aeroplane cabin, transforming the space entirely through lighting and the actors’ physicality alone. With the support of lighting changes and subtle sound design, such as the low hum of the aircraft cabin, the focus remains firmly on the characters. It is a simple yet highly effective approach.

Both actors are immediately likeable. Lee sets the comedic tone early with well-timed jokes and expressive mannerisms. While Trudy may not always deliver the punchlines, her careful set-ups allow the humour to land effectively and provide an essential balance to the dynamic. The pair remain enjoyable to watch throughout, although the pacing occasionally feels uneven, and some chemistry is lost in the delivery of lines. That said, certain moments, such as the morning after their first night together, strike the perfect balance between humour and sad reality, drawing plenty of laughter from the audience.

The play’s central idea, that time can feel distorted depending on who you are with, is an intriguing one. There are clever anecdotes and recurring inside jokes that build the relationship between the characters in an engaging way. However, while the concept of skewed time from Lee’s perspective is interesting, some of the writing occasionally leans into cliché and attempts to cover too many ideas at once. As a result, several themes are introduced but are not explored in enough depth, which lessens the emotional impact and leaves the story feeling slightly incomplete.

Nevertheless, While We Wait stands out for its inventive staging and thoughtful premise. Its ability to transform scenes on the same bare stage using just six blocks is particularly impressive. This is a play I would happily recommend to friends for its introspective look at embracing one’s true self and making the most of the time we have. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of the vulnerability that underpins both our time on earth and the relationships we form.

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Photo Credit: Alex Newton, Tall Guy Pictures