When struggling actress Helena returns to Britain from America to meet her old boarding school friend Bex, now a successful photographer, their discussions and shared memories reveal more darker elements beneath the surface.

The play begins seemingly innocently, with a broken Helena meeting Bex at her apartment with the former traumatised by her years in America with an abusive and controlling boyfriend and the latter appearing much more well-adjusted in all areas.

However, the flashbacks revealing the true nature of their relationship provide greater depth, with a kiss at a party revealing a great deal about both characters. Despite this inclusion, there is no foreshadowing provided for the final act twist, which in lesser hands could have come off as a jarring shift into melodrama.

However, instead, the writing, direction and acting make this narrative development come across as the natural conclusion to the increasingly prominent theme of obsession that has become increasingly apparent throughout the course of the short running time.

The performances also aid this transition, with Grace Wood providing an impressive turn as Helena, nailing the characters early glamorous, self-possessed and ambitious nature in the flashbacks as well as her more vulnerable present day self who gradually becomes more sympathetic as the narrative progresses.

In addition, Robyn Mirmak really shines as Bex, as she not only depicts the characters apparent sensible and more restrained nature in the early scenes, but also how her attraction towards Helena for all these years devolves into something darker without making the character seem too much like a two-dimensional villain. While Bex’s actions at the climax may seem overly villainous, Helena’s actions towards her in the flashbacks and Bex’s reaction to them provide her with sufficient motivation for her behaviour at this point.

These Days is an impressive two-hander with a thrilling conclusion about the dangers of obsession brought to life by its impressive lead performances.

These Days has finished its run