Time After Time

FiFi Productions present another home-grown World Premiere, with a bitter-sweet historical setting and distinctive local flavour. Set on Platform 3 at Perth Train Station, Time After Time follows a succession of couples who meet on the platform, against the background of two world wars, then the war in Vietnam, leading up to a meeting in the present day.

Essentially a two hander, the production employs archival footage (expertly edited by Isobel Blakley) and vintage photos that serve to both set the scene and convey the passing of time. Using a simple set, designed by the directors, gorgeous mostly historically accurate costumes (again care of the directors), and effective lighting and sound, designed by Felicia Tang and Tendekai Mafukidze respectively, add atmosphere and gravitas.

Supporting cameo performances by Matthew Mckail, nicely playing a 1900s Train Conductor and a present-day Transit Officer, Thomas Ranieri as a scallywag child and Anthony Ranieri as a contemporary teen, help to set the scene. (Note: I believe that I saw an unnamed understudy for Anthony at the preview performance, who also did very well).

This play very much relies on its leading couple, Jaimee Peasley and Alan Gill, whom we first meet as Johnathon and Olive prior to the Great War. Sweet, naive, and optimistic, we enjoy their initial meeting - beautifully portrayed, and rejoice as a filmed montage shows them courting and marrying, before we find them again on the platform, as Olive reluctantly bids her young husband a farewell as he departs for war, filled with feelings of doom. 

As the play (a lengthier one act running a little over an hour) progresses, we witness other couples meet under similar circumstances, but with different results. All played by the same actors, the couples are linked not only by appearance but their names Johnathon, Jim, Jack and Jackson and Olive, Oli, Olivia and Liv, as well as a sense of déjà vu and Jaimee’s character’s possible memory of this happening before, posing questions of “If you had the opportunity to love but lose your love, would you choose to do it again?”

Alan and Jaimee each give us four very distinct characters, that are shaped by their time, and the connections between all the couples feel genuine and sincere. Fine acting performances from both.

At the preview, transitions, despite the use of film to bridge scenes, felt a little slow (the film didn’t come in quickly enough nor fill the gap), but I feel sure that this will rectify quickly during the run.

Time After Time is a great opportunity to see an interesting historical story with warmth and a touch of romance, but taking tissues is highly recommended.

Kimberley Shaw