When To Run

Published Thursday 10 August 2006 at 11:40 by Thom Dibdin

Sophie Woolley’s cleverly interwoven series of four monologues is packed with delicious observations and clever understanding of how and why people sublimate action with the physical duress of running. It is also a nicely worked story, revealing gently and by degrees the interconnections of three women whose affairs and marriages are going through a rough time.

Alone on stage with nothing more than a chair, Woolley brings the three to rather hesitant life. Most compelling is Julia, a slobbish dog-walker who spends her life in the park looking with disdain at the joggers. Less well drawn, both in character and on the page, are power-walking Julia and lifestyle coach Celia.

It is with Shelley, a 15-year-old athlete who somehow holds the key to the connections between the three women, that Woolley is most happy. Her character springs into life with a casual manner which makes the rest seem somewhat stilted.

There is a great story in here and four strong characters aching to get out of the blocks. Unfortunately Director Melanie Abrahams has yet to coach Woolley into taking them on anything more than a training run. With time, however, they will surely all sprint to the finish.