Wink – 53two

In the dimly lit arches of 53two, an unsuspecting audience is about to receive an almighty gut punch, courtesy of Phoebe Eclaire-Powell’s darkly funny and unsettling play, Wink.

Updated from its 2015 debut with the latest social media and cultural references, Wink is brutal in its timeliness, holding a mirror to the worst excesses of online culture – from toxic ‘alpha male’ influencers through to the horrendous consequences of Catfishing.

Despite the heavy source material and a worryingly long list of trigger warnings, the play remains hugely compelling and crackles with humour. We meet 16-year-old Mark who idolises his too-cool-for-school French teacher, Mr Martin. Unbeknownst to him, Mr Martin is struggling with his own frustrations, particularly around his crumbling relationship with his long-term girlfriend, Claire.

Mark’s jealousy of Mr Martin’s seemingly ideal life soon sets him on a dangerous path and, as Mark’s naïve teenage fantasy crashes head on into Mr Martin’s romantic insecurity, the stage is set for highly destructive consequences.

Eclaire-Powell’s unflinching script, which remains eloquent and expertly avoids melodrama, is delivered flawlessly through Arthur Loades, and assistant Beth Moore’s, slick and pacey direction of two superb actors.

A simple platform and a complete absence of props allows for a highly physical performance, with both actors in perfect sync with each other, and the judicious use of two treadmills creates both literal momentum and (whether intentional or not) the perfect symbol of the continuous trudge to lift one’s life out of life’s daily tedium.

Jolyon Benson gives a gripping account of the teenage Mark, struggling to deal with the death of his father and desperately trying to find his way into adulthood. He handles adolescent awkwardness with bags of authenticity.

Similarly, Jack Moran is riveting as the emotionally stunted teacher – flawed and fragile, as his suspicions over an imagined affair between Claire and a co-worker boil over into full-blown obsession with hilarious and hideous results.

Both are at once pitiful, repulsive and yet (uncomfortably) rather likeable, particularly the desperately misguided Mark. As the audience is taken to the absolute brink of dramatic tension, with both characters’ schemes reach a highly disturbing climax, you still find yourself deeply rooting that both will somehow make good.

Wink may be an intense and challenging story, but the hugely skilful mix of high emotional stakes and razor-sharp wit will guarantee the show will resonate with its audience for a long time to come.

Further performances of Wink take place on the 16^th and 17^th July. For tickets visit www.greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk/events/wink

Reviewer: Lou Steggals

Reviewed: 13th July 2025

North West End UK Rating: