UNDERGROUND – The Vaults Waterloo until Sunday 31st January

★★★★

By Caroline Hanks-Farmer

I’ve never been to The Vaults before, a performance venue tucked underneath Waterloo station. The area is synonymous with graffiti art where people can express themselves freely. There are discarded spray cans as I walk through, so not the most salubrious of approaches. However whilst it is still early evening (before six) I can already see a queue of people and a vibe of expectation fills the air. This is a space which has several rooms off the main tunnel mixed with bars, it’s dark and dingy but you get a feel for something real and exciting is surrounding you? That something special is creativity and it’s everywhere here as part of The Vaults Festival.

What happens when the (future) night tube breaks down and two people who have met via an online dating site are stranded on their first “date”, for what seems, for them, like hours?

Claire (Bebe Sanders) and James (Michael Jinks)  sit patiently, initially in silence and then as the time goes on we hear random announcements, seemingly specifically tailored to this  potential new couple. The conversation is interesting, funny and goes at varying tangents throughout this exceedingly entertaining and perceptive piece. Written by Isla Van Tricht and directed by Kate Tiernan this innovative exploration into serendipity, the need to find someone to share your life with and online dating, is both intriguing and fascinating. Both Sanders and Jinks are completely captivating and believable in their roles and whilst it is short at just 60 minutes, I can see how the concept and script could be expanded and developed even further.

This piece by Shrapnel Theatre company has a very short run so please do go and support it and I hope that this is not the end of “the line” for it. So “Swipe right” and go and see this production.

UNDERGROUND – The Vaults Waterloo until Sunday 31st January

★★★★

By Caroline Hanks-Farmer