An intimate, heartbreaking portrayal of a crumbling life
Remembrance Monday’s opening scene sketches out an idyllic long-term relationship for dance-teacher Julius and artist Connor. Their relaxed tenderness manifests through a shared language of in-jokes, memories, and pet names whose origins have long been forgotten. But in between flashbacks of relationship milestones – first date, proposal, marriage etc. – it becomes apparent that something is very wrong. The result is an engaging narrative that smoothly transitions between warmth and heartbreak, highlighting the fragility of an ‘ideal life’.
Played by Nick Hayes and Matthew Spathers respectively, Julius and Connor have an authentic, compelling chemistry. Their dialogue feels tender and natural, oscillating from mundane to important in the way close relationships often do. They go from giggling in the bath together to discussing their experiences of homophobic bullying, organically building a simmering tension which underlies every scene.
Hayes in particular puts on a star-making performance, monologuing as Julius slowly losing his sense of certainty about himself and the world around him. Saying more risks dulling some of the story’s impact, but what follows is a searing exploration of love, human fragility, and how we respond to trauma.
This is drama distilled into its purest form, with every conversation and scene carrying meaning and contributing to a slow-build sense of dread for the protagonists. Taking place in a bathroom – often where we are at our most vulnerable – the stage itself embodies the claustrophobia of Remembrance Monday’s narrative. Performed in the round, the audience crowds into the stage from all sides, enhancing each character’s sense of vulnerability. Smart use of blackouts, and clever movement through the wings off-stage, provide a dynamism driving the story towards its conclusion.
Despite this, there are some pacing issues. The script foreshadows its own twist less than a minute before the big reveal, siphoning away its impact. Further, an interval would allow the implications of this revelation to breathe, maximising the power of subsequent scenes. In an otherwise tensely plotted script which effectively rides the twin waves of romance and disaster, these blemishes are a shame.
Overall, Remembrance Monday has the effect of smashing a romance and a psychological thriller together, but in such a way that each half amplifies the effect of the other. Excellent casting, intelligent staging and relatable protagonists mean the audience quickly care about the couple, and then just as quickly have their hearts broken. The result is a compelling, searing exploration of the fragility of happiness that is well worth seeing for fans of slow-burning, simmering drama.
Remembrance Monday plays at the Seven Dials Playhouse until 1st June 2024, with Thursday and Saturday Matinees. Tickets can be purchased here.