How well do you truly know the people you love? This is the piercing question at the heart of Zoe Hunter Gordon’s new play, 1.17am, or until the words run out, which receives its highly anticipated world premiere at the Finborough Theatre. Following a critically acclaimed, sold-out preview run at Theatre503, the production promises a riveting, surprisingly funny look at the uncomfortable truths buried beneath lifelong friendships.
The premise is intensely personal and immediate: "One night, two friends, a dead man’s room." Katie and Roni were once inseparable, but time and unspoken wounds have driven them apart. Now, following the death of Katie's brother, the two women are unexpectedly reunited in the intimate, charged space of his empty bedroom. As the clock ticks past 1.17am, they commit to an emotional confrontation, determined to tell each other the whole, unvarnished truth—with the hope that it might finally set them free.
Described as a "claustrophobic, unexpectedly funny" exploration of friendship, lies, and the painful necessity of saying what needs to be said, the play is a powerful piece of new writing. Playwright Zoe Hunter Gordon, an Anglo-Scots writer and filmmaker, has a distinguished track record, including the Yale Drama Prize-shortlisted Cecilia. Her work for screen includes projects for the BBC and BFI, highlighting her skill in crafting tense, emotionally resonant narratives.
The production features a talented cast, with Offie-nominated Catherine Ashdown (known for Grud at Hampstead Theatre) as Katie, and Eileen Duffy (Life with a Little L) as Roni. It is helmed by director and dramaturg Sarah Stacey, an award-winning theatre director and 2023 JMK finalist, whose previous work includes the Fringe First-winning Beasts.
Presented by ZAVA Productions in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre, 1.17am, or until the words run out runs from Tuesday, 10 February to Saturday, 7 March 2026.
This intense 70-minute play offers audiences a chance to witness a raw, late-night reckoning. Catch the production at the Finborough Theatre, London SW10 9ED.
Venue: Finborough Theatre, London SW10 9ED
Dates: Tuesday 10 February – Saturday 7 March, 2026
Performance Times: Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 7.30pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3.00pm.
Tickets: Prices vary, starting from £20 (£18 concessions). Previews (10 & 11 Feb) are £15. Special rates available for Under 30s and local residents.
Book Online: www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 020 7244 7439
