FRINGE REVIEW: One Day Closer is a tender, touching exploration of relationships and mental health
Written and directed by Perth-born rising star Tim Hotchkin, One Day Closer was an incredibly intimate and emotional show. A truly tender and touching tear-jerker, this drama dug deep into the depths of family relationships and mental health. This play was an admirable group effort - starring Tim Hotchkin and Maya Curtis, both co-directors along with stage manager Gabi Munro.
This drama was spontaneously written as a result of Hotchkin's experiences in 2020, which, like many of the rest of us, were particularly tough. Set out in the individual programmes, Tim writes, "Hope is one of the most powerful things, and I wanted to write a play that reflects that." He also provides insight to his personal struggles that he endured through the COVID-19 lockdown in New York, a very honest touch to an already deep and intimate event.
Weaving in and out between flashbacks of the past and present, we are given snippets of dialogue and interactions between siblings Jack (Hotchkin) and Simone (Curtis). The two talented artists take us on a journey - starting as argumentative siblings waiting for the school bus, and ending in very different circumstances.
““Hope is one of the most powerful things, and I wanted to write a play that reflects that.””
Simplicity usually tends to be key and this was very much the case with this play. With minimal props and a cast of two, the audience was naturally fully immersed in the incredible acting from Hotchkin and Curtis. Sweet and soulful, One Day Closer reflects the idea that despite being challenged by the ups and downs that come with the human experience, hope can always prevail.
I look forward to seeing what promising artists Hotchkin and Curtis get up to in the near future - their stellar performances in this drama certainly proved a fiery capability and passion that you just don't see everyday.
