Review: While We Wait (Arches Lane Theatre)

While We Wait is a new play by Doe Wilmann, currently showing at Arches Lane Theatre in Battersea. I was keen to review the show, after reading the press information and because the director is Scott le Crass, who directed another show I enjoyed earlier this year.

The story is described as ‘hilarious and heartbreaking’ and the description reads as follows: A man who is experiencing life in slow motion falls for a woman whose life is speeding by. Can their love survive when time is not on their side?

The stage was set with six cubes, which have changeable coloured lights within them. Simple yet versatile staging, and this all the set that was needed. During this particular production, the actors moved these cubes around, their movements often synchronised, with recorded voice messages playing during these changes. This was a brilliant way to reset the stage and keep the production moving forward at the same time. The lighting was very subtle, enhanced by the cubes, spotlight and the occasional burst of more encompassing light, and it focussed the attention exactly where it belonged and that was on the interactions between characters Lee and Trudy.

The sound effects, background noise in a restaurant, engine noises during a flight and others all helped to build the perception of different locations well.

Production photograph by Alex Newton, Tall Guy Pictures

Trudy (Kirsten Callaghan) and Lee (Ricky Oakley) initially meet as he’s a nurse and she’s gone in for some blood tests. The actors work well together on stage and have a natural chemistry that helps you to care about them and how their relationship progresses.

During the narrative there were jumps forward through time which remained relevant to the topic of the story. However, I personally would have liked to have seen more discussion of the impact of Lee’s perception of time slowing down, and the characters perhaps questioning why this happened. The issue he was having with the speed of time changing was almost forgotten about during the middle part of the show as the characters were edging towards being in a relationship. I was constantly waiting for these discussions to happen. I also would have expected to have seen more upset and disagreement at the end of one certain scene (in the restaurant). I feel like there’s potential to add a new section of this play between that moment and the end of the show, and this would enhance it greatly. I’m also not entirely sure why both actors were barefoot though the whole show. This is something you can’t help but notice as they are otherwise fully clothed throughout.

When I think back on my experience of While We Wait after having a few days to process it, I feel like I’m questioning myself as I wanted to love it but in my opinion it’s not quite there yet. I personally feel like some further development would levitate it from pleasantly watchable to a show that is unforgettable.

Kirsten Callaghan and Ricky Oakley (curtain call photo)

I absolutely must mention the highlight for me was Ricky Oakley’s Lee. His comedic timing was excellent towards the start of the show. Nearer the end, I was so focussed on his facial expressions that when I think of the show now, my instant reaction is a vivid mental recall of these moments. This performance was quietly devastating. Bravo!

⭐⭐⭐1/2

While We Wait is showing at Arches Lane Theatre until Saturday 7 March 2026, including a matinee on Saturday.

If you would like to see more of my curtain call photographs from this and other shows, please visit my Instagram.

I was gifted a ticket for this show in exchange for an honest review.