Buckled – 53two

It’s Wine O’Clock somewhere. Hic-Hic-Hooray. Eat, sleep, Gin, repeat.

How many of us can honestly say we haven’t reached the end of a working week and our mind has turned to relaxing with friends or family and a few drinks via an alcohol-themed pun or two. But where is the line when enjoying a bevy becomes a serious problem?

Helen Jeffery’s slick and thought provoking one-act play, Buckled, which she also directs, gives us a glimpse in the consequences of out-of-control drinking. A simple set of a table and two chairs is thoughtfully used and, through a mix of mono- and dialogues and ensemble speeches, delivered by three excellent actors, and a cleverly curated Britpop soundtrack, we have the opportunity to consider our own relationship with the ‘demon drink’ (and possibly feel sheepish remembering the pre-show drinks we’ve just imbued).

Megan Cerys-Holland is charming and vibrant as Ruby, the effervescent party girl who’s binge drinking is starting to seriously impact friendships and work. She draws out the black humour of Ruby’s situation, as one ponders that irony, of laughing at a hungover Ruby, slumped on the floor as the extent of her self-destruction is slowly revealed.

Similarly, Tracy Spencer gives a fine account of recovering alcoholic Maggie, emerging from a boozy fog of denial and attempting to pick up the pieces, including the shattered relationship with her son Callum. She brings poignancy to her monologues as the challenge of remaining sober and regaining the trust of loved ones is laid out via Jeffery’s writing, which is never overly sentimental or over dramatic.

Rounding out our trio is Al Bollands as Callum, in who we get an excellent portrayal of the other side of the coin, as he weighs up inviting Maggie to his wedding, haunted by the humiliation of her past behaviour. Bolland is compelling as he brings Callum’s inner turmoil to life and under the trappings of Callum’s adulthood, the young boy just who just wants his mum to be there for him is palpable.

Despite some toe-curling accounts of both Ruby’s current, and Maggie’s former, worst excesses, the show is packed with humanity and fits it’s one-hour format just right, leaving us with a glimmers of hope for our characters futures.

It commendably avoids turning preachy and instead leaves us to make our own minds up as to where our own limits are whilst giving a stark reminder of the consequences of going too far. 

If you or someone you know is affected by issues with Alcohol, resources and support information is available at https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

For What’s On at 53Two, visit https://www.53two.com

Reviewer: Lou Steggals

Reviewed: 21st March 2025

North West End UK Rating: