Simon Ward reviews 21 Days at the Canal Cafe Theatre

Showing as part of the Voila! Festival of Theatre, this is clearly a labour of love for writer-producer-and-lead actor Sushant Nair, who plays Jay. His antagonist is May (Alanya Hotchkiss), a flatmate imposed on him somehow by his bosses at work. Under the direction of Jonathan Sidgwick the two circle each other, he warily, she with an over-eager enthusiasm. He had been quite happy, after a fashion at least, cocooned in his flat surrounded by empty beer cans and decaying food, never having to answer to anyone. Only a suspiciously cute photo on the side of a mug hints at the break-up that has led him into his depressive slump. Working from home means that he never has to deal with other people face to face. Although the fact that he spends so much time consulting guides for Dummies is a clue that he knows something is not right.

Nevertheless he could not be less welcoming of the intrusive presence of May in his life. She, on the other hand, could hardly be more friendly and approachable. She mainly ignores his boorish behaviour, although she does draw the line at the revolting state of the bathroom, and the rotting flesh lurking in the fridge. It is obvious that Jay’s meals all arrive on the back of a bike. In fact, he seems to think there is a technological solution for everything. The presence of May makes him question his assumptions, and he is even moved to try to take himself in hand. Hence the 21 days of the title – apparently that is the amount of time that the internet says is needed to wean himself off the booze and re-enter civilized society. May is at pains to point out that there is no scientific evidence to back this up, but he ploughs on regardless.

Frustratingly, there is the germ of a decent idea here, which could possibly be developed further. The twist regarding May is interesting, and the play is at its best when it is straightforwardly discussing the philosophical implications of its premise. But, while there are some amusing moments, the comedy, too often fails to land, and the setup is not followed through with sufficient rigour. The two leads are likeable but there is no chemistry between them. On one level this should work for the purposes of the piece, but on another level it tends to kill the drama. There is a message here about moving away from an over-reliance on technology which is no doubt well-intentioned and even valid, but unfortunately the play fails to make the argument convincingly or move it beyond cliché. Arguably the most emotional intelligence displayed here is by someone who should have literally none at all. A near miss.

21 Days was performed at the Canal Cafe Theatre, 13 Westbourne Terrace Rd, London W2 6NG on 6th and 7th November. The Voila! Theatre Festival is running at multiple venues until Saturday 22nd November