If you like your drama short, bittersweet and punchy, this play is worth looking out for.

It starts with young children Lizzie boarding the 9.14 from King's Cross to Cambridge and spreading out to indicate occupation of the four available seats.

To her dismay, as the train leaves, she is joined by an elderly man who, disconcertingly, bursts into tears.

As they begin to talk, it becomes apparent that his wife, who would normally have seen him off, has recently died and he goes on to reveal the reason for his journey - to confront the life he should have lived in Cambridge.

Lizzie then opens up about the reason for her journey and how she feels she is living a lie too. By the time the destination is reached their lives have entwined enough that they resolve to live them differently in future

Tautly written by Vicki Berwick, the drama unfolds naturally and both parts are played convincingly by the fresh new talent of Hollie Crisp and the experienced Edmund Dehn, who seems more familiar than his recent appearances at the Finborough would suggest.

It isn't Strangers on a Train, but it does take the characters and their audience on a journey which establishes the importance of being true to yourself. A useful message in challenging times.

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