The man’s already there, sitting on the bench, as we file into the theatre. It’s 2am in the morning, and he’s ventured out in search of solitude – woefully unprepared for the January weather. But he’s not alone for long: a woman sits down too, with her own reasons to escape an all-night party nearby. The pair have never met before, but as they’re about to discover, it can sometimes be easier to talk to a stranger than it is to open up to a friend.

George Kinniburgh’s script works so well because it brings together two seemingly disparate characters: the man is introspective and a little bit gawky, while the woman’s quick to get passionate about topics that matter to her. The discomfort between them never quite fades, but each has something to unburden, and each has a destructive element to their soul. It’s that finely-tuned balance between similarly and difference which grabs our interest, and keeps the storyline moving along.

Kinniburgh’s dialogue is well-written and credible: awkward at first, for the audience as well as the characters, then building momentum as tiny connections are formed. But that would all mean nothing without two first-rate performances on stage, in this case from Thom Hallows and Meg De Bell. In their hands, the conversation flows naturally, and the delicate sequence of personal revelations has profound emotional heart. A moment’s pause, or a glance towards the ground tells us all we need to know about their inner hurt and fear.

Somehow, although the characters remain in the same two seats for 90% of the play, it never feels static or dull. All the same, there were a few moments when I felt the pace flag – sensed a topic had been granted a minute or two more than it deserved. And I confess, having got to know and love the characters, I craved a little more resolution at the end; not an unrealistic promise that everything would work out right, but at least a comforting signal that they were committed to giving it a try.

There are big messages built into this show, about the pressures of expectation in general and specifically on uni leavers searching for their role in life. And there are some insightful philosophical points too, particularly when the man reveals an unconventional perspective on the wisdom of setting goals. But most of all, this is a powerful and timely reminder of how vital it is to communicate and share. Strangers, after all, can tell each other blunt truths – and those include the affirming truths we all sometimes long to hear.