Last night, I had the privilege of attending a workshop performance of Stephen Leach’s new play, ONE BREATH BEFORE THE END at the Union Theatre. Stephen Leach is the writer behind CAN’T WAIT TO LEAVE, which received rave reviews in 2023 and 2024 (wish I’d seen it)! As this piece is clearly still in development, I wanted to share some thoughts and feedback without a star rating at this stage.

The play follows Ash (Max Robson), Kieron (James Chetwood) and Ollie (Lewis Noble) – best friends for over a decade who reunite in their old stomping ground, an abandoned warehouse to spend what they believe is their final day on earth. It’s left somewhat ambiguous how they know the end is coming, though the setup is reminiscent of Lorene Scafaria’s film SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD, where characters prepare for an imminent apocalypse.

Ollie and Kieran are brothers, with Ash being their close friend for years. Ollie dominates the group dynamic with a kind of swagger, while Kieron, who spends much of the time snacking and struggling to assert himself, felt to me the most authentic and sincere in his responses and reactions to everything happening around him. James Chetwood as Kieron gives a particularly compelling and considered performance in this role.

Tensions rise with the arrival of their old friend Phoebe (Jessica Saunders) and buried memories begin to resurface. Without revealing too much, the group is forced to confront a shared traumatic experience they’ve avoided for years. This emotional reckoning becomes the play’s focus point and I believe where its strength lies. I think pairing this revelation with the apocalyptic structure might not be necessary – the metaphor of a friendship on the brink and a world ending feels a little on the nose. The emotional weight and complexity of their past is powerful, engaging and unique enough to drive the narrative!

Often characters dash offstage for frequent exits leaving space for two person scenes, however at times these moments felt like missed opportunities. Keeping all characters confined in the same space could heighten the tension and sense of claustrophobia, reinforcing the intensity of the conversations and themes. I think this is especially relevant for witnessing the shifting dynamics between Ollie, Kieron and Ash, who are the characters we begin the story with. 

Overall, ONE BREATH BEFORE THE END shows great potential for further development. In my opinion, simplifying the premise and digging deeper into the central trauma could help refine the play’s impact even more. I’m really excited to see how this evolves from here!