Review: One Day When We Were Young (Park Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s been nearly four years since a production of Nick Payne’s Constellations lit up the West End with its rotating star cast making it one of the first must-see shows when theatres reopened after three lockdowns. Now, his work is back on the London stage as another two-hander, One Day When We Were Young makes a return in a new production at Park Theatre. With just the one cast this time, would this receive the same rapturous response of that previous production?

Premiering in 2011, One Day When We Were Young depicts a couple’s relationship across three different moments, spanning over sixty years. We first meet Leonard and Violet in the middle of World War II on the eve of his departure for the Front. As these young lovers celebrate their first night together and vow it won’t be their last, life has other plans and the next time we meet them is 20 years later. The third and final scene skips forward another 40 years where these formerly young lovers are now not so young.

There is a real beauty in the simplicity of this story. Tender and intimate, it is a comparatively small story but massively amplified to reflect the grandeur of falling in love. Set against a backdrop of a rapidly changing world where technology changes the world around them and Jaffa Cakes make everything better (I could especially relate to that part), the focus remains on Leonard and Violet and the different and unexpected paths each of their lives have taken. We only get glimpses at their lives outside of each other throughout the three scenes, discovering the little nuggets of information they share with each other when they are catching up, leaving an air of mystery around them.

The key theme in One Day When We We Were Young is fragility in every sense. In time, in love and in life. Though the roles are played by two young actors, watching them change their demeanour from these young lovers to pensioners who are not quite as fast as they used to be is incredibly moving, with various tragedies that have been faced deeply affecting to many watching it. The way Nick Payne conveys this in his writing is excellent, going for an understated nature and a subtle approach that allows the heart and heartbreak to play out naturally. The dialogue is rich with wit prevalent throughout and natural, recognisable conversations whose familiarity makes the story all the more poignant.

Playing at the smaller Park90 space at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, James Haddrell’s direction plays up to the close surroundings by maximising the intimate nature of the story. As an audience surround the single room setting, changing from a hotel room to a bench to Leonard’s home, you find yourself connecting with the pair as every mannerism, expression and choice in their words resonates. Pollyanna Elston’s design beautifully transitions the stage to reflect a timespan of 60 years, while Henry Slater’s lighting proves incredibly effective, blinding and uncomfortable in the best possible way in one pivotal scene.

Payne’s writing is further lifted through two gorgeous performances from Cassie Bradley and Barney White as Violet and Leonard. Heartfelt and full of love, the different dynamic between the pair over the years and their growth and change as individuals is played out with a real believability in a testament to both of their versatility and talents as actors. White downplays his character of Leonard to create a sweet, loveable man who carries an air of tragedy with him, leaving me intrigued to learn more about his life and what led him to be the man he became. Less can be more though and White knows just what to give away and what to keep to himself in a captivating portrayal. Cassie Bradley goes bigger in her choices as Violet, dominating scenes and leading the charge. Where Barney White’s Leonard has an air of consistency throughout him in each of the three scenes, Bradley’s Violet goes through more drastic changes, with the confident, assured woman in the second scene unrecognisable from the first, making the change for the third and final scene all the more resonant.

The beauty of One Day When We Were Young is in its simplicity. Speaking to the very essence of humanity and that need we all have to love and be loved, it is a tender and intimate snapshot of not only a changing world but the changes within ourselves over time in a heart-breaking story that proves deeply affecting. Sweet and charming for the most part, its incredibly romantic beginning paves way to more tragic circumstances in a play that makes you understand and appreciate the fragility and fleeting nature of life. I left the theatre feeling incredibly moved by what I had just seen – though it might have been more of a sorrowful feeling, the fact that this production penetrates your very soul is a testament to the brilliance of it.

One Day When We Were Young plays at Park Theatre until 22nd March. Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk

Photos by Danny Kaan