BLINK ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sophie has just lost a parent. So has Jonah. Sophie has just inherited quite a lot of money. So has Jonah. After a series of uncanny coincidences, the pair find themselves living on top of one another, in two small flats in Leytonstone. Then on a whim, Sophie mails Jonah a baby monitor connected to her flat. And he starts to watch her. Reading. Playing video games. Eating. Watching TV. Without ever coming face to face, something almost like love starts to bloom between them.

Direction by Simon Paris is clear, confident and quietly brilliant. The show knows exactly when to lean into its playful moments and when to sit in the more uncomfortable or emotional ones. Those tonal shifts are handled really well, and the whole piece feels carefully guided without ever feeling over-directed. It’s thoughtful, controlled and lets the story do the work.

Set design by Emily Bestow is simple but very effective. The stage is largely minimalist with just a few key items, but it’s dominated by a striking wall made up of different sized TV screens. At first glance that sounds like something that might completely overwhelm the space, but surprisingly it doesn’t. Instead it adds texture and atmosphere while still keeping the focus exactly where it should be… on the actors and the story.

Video design by Matt Powell is phenomenal. The blurred imagery and glitch-like aesthetic create this slightly eerie, voyeuristic feeling that fits the piece perfectly. It’s visually really interesting but never feels like it’s there just for the sake of it. Everything serves the storytelling. The only small thing for me was that I struggled to spot the red suitcase at one point, but honestly that’s a very minor note in an otherwise fantastic design.

Lighting by Peter Small is lovely in its restraint. It relies mostly on gentle washes and subtle shifts rather than anything flashy, but that’s exactly what the show needs. It feels natural, authentic and completely supportive of the story. Sometimes the best lighting design is the one you barely notice because it’s doing its job so well, and that’s exactly the case here.

Sound design by Sam Glossop is beautifully balanced throughout with a really clean overall mix. Nothing feels overbearing or unnecessary, and everything sits comfortably within the world of the play.

Costume design by Emily Bestow works nicely within the minimalist style of the production. Most of the costumes are essentially the characters’ everyday clothes, but subtle additions like coats or small changes help suggest different people or shifts in time. It’s simple, but cleverly done.

The writing by Phil Porter is where this show really shines. The pacing is spot on and scenes never outstay their welcome. In a two-hander like this that rhythm is crucial, and here it’s handled brilliantly. I particularly loved the level of audience interaction. It feels less like watching a play and more like someone is telling you a story directly, which makes the emotional moments land extremely hard.

Performances from Abigail Thorn and Joe Pitts are phenomenal. Their chemistry together is fantastic and they bounce off each other beautifully throughout the show. It’s funny, awkward, touching and completely engaging. In a production that relies so heavily on just two performers, both actors carry it effortlessly. This is a tour-de-force performance from both of them, and a deeply moving one at that.

Blink is a great reminder that theatre can be extremely powerful. With thoughtful direction, clever design and two excellent performances, this production feels intimate, funny, unusual and incredibly moving. It’s funny, heartfelt and quietly emotional in a way that really stays with you after the show ends.

Link to book tickets here:

https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/blink-df19