Centred around the abduction of a young girl, Daisy Schults, One Minute explores the evolving relationships between five strangers, soon brought together through this tragic incident. Directed by Iwan Lewis, and written by Tony award-winning playwright Simon Stephens, One Minute is a contemporary production that explores societal structures and how an event which is unrelated to someone personally becomes a significant part of their life - how it affects one’s outlooks and perceptions. [caption id=“attachment_38677” align=“aligncenter” width=“705”]
Garry Summers and Sarah Hanly in One Minute at The Barn Theatre[/caption] The thing that captures you immediately is the incredible use of lighting and projections. Throughout the production shots of media clippings and close-ups of the characters are projected up against the stage backdrop - it was a multimedia fusion of theatre, film, and an art installation. The projections were also used as part of the stage design to push the story through various sets from the London Underground, a bar, and police station - this was put together incredibly, and its purpose was used to full effect to guide the audience. The team behind the lighting and projection have done some amazing work here. What’s interesting about One Minute is that the story is less fixated on the abduction of Daisy Schults, and more centred on the growth of the characters and the way in which their relationships with one another intertwine and form - particularly by the shared grief they feel over the abduction of the young girl. The actors and actresses portrayed very relatable characters, both through their day-to-day dilemmas and performances as a whole. My particular favourite was Rebecca Crankshaw’s performance as Daisy Schults’ mother, Dr. Anne Schults - she made the character very accessible whilst she journeyed through stages of grief and hope. Rebecca Crankshaw made the theatre experience very immersive, and rather than watching a constructed show it was as if you were in the same room as her - a very natural and impactful performance. [caption id=“attachment_38678” align=“aligncenter” width=“704”]
Garry Summers and Sophie May Wake in One Minute at The Barn Theatre[/caption] Another stand out performance was Jack Bence as DC Robert Evans. Involved in the case of the missing Daisy Schults, Bence brings out something very human about his character - he was able to convey the complexities and frustrations of his work-life balance in a way that had me really engaged with his character when he was on stage. Bence gave a really raw performance. One Minute was not as dark as I thought it would be - you hear ‘child abduction’ and your mind tends to lean towards ‘murder mystery’, or ‘police drama’. Instead the production provides an insightful angle towards themes of loss, dreams, and tragedy. For me One Minute was less about the child abduction itself but more about redemption, and how in some way each of the characters have been abducted by time, situations, work, or money - the characters are quite lost, and the abduction of Daisy Schults pushes them to address and reevaluate themselves. In contrast to The Secret Garden, One Minute isn’t feel-good but I would strongly argue that it is very relevant - this was a great follow up, and I like the different direction in terms of story choice. I’m looking forward to seeing what The Barn Theatre have coming up next. For further information, and to purchase tickets of One Minute, visit www.barntheatre.org.uk