The characters in Alex Tutton’s entertaining new play COME AGAIN are all unsure of what is happening and where they stand. Similarly the audience could be wondering if this a police procedural, relationship drama or a black comedy? 

It turns out it is all of the above and then some. Sal reports to the police that her partner, Dan, is missing. The police have to establish if this murder, suicide or if Dan has just gone away. Sal’s erraticism could indicate she was involved in his disappearance or maybe it has been triggered by stress. 

The story jumps forward five years and Sal’s new partner, Noni, is going through stressful IVF procedures, putting their relationship under pressure. 

Other factors are contributing such as housework, money, the memories of Dan and various miscommunications. 

Miscommunication is a recurrent theme in the play and cleverly adds to the intrigue and drama. Sometimes it is deliberate, such as when the police are investigating the disappearance, or inadvertent and triggered by a thoughtless turn of phrase. 

The effect is to leave the audience speculating about events and the characters’ motivations, which adds a pleasing complexity to the drama. 

These serious and intense themes are well balanced by some very amusing lines and scenes. The humour keeps the audience on an unsure footing, not quite knowing where the narrative is going or where the characters’ motivations are.

This is excellent work by writer Alex Tutton and director Lu Bradshaw.

The full crew includes Dramaturg Luke Visentin, Lighting Designer Frankie Clarke, Sound Designer Prema Yin, Intimacy/Fight Coordinator Shondelle Pratt, Stage Manager Jaime Petersonand cast Angela Johnston, Gabrielle Bowen, John Michael Narres, with understudies Madison Chippendale, Shayne De Groot and Luke Standish. 

The Producers are Tyler Fitzpatrick and Lily Hayman.  

COME AGAIN is playing at KXT Broadway until 17th June and is highly recommended.

Production photography by Clare Hawley