Four Minutes Twelve Seconds at Oldham Coliseum
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Penned by multi-award-winning writer James Fritz Four Minutes Twelve Seconds made its world premiere in London in 2014 earning an Olivier nomination. Exploring themes of sexual consent, internet safety and our moral responsibilities, this sharp modern thriller comes to Oldham Coliseum this February.
A powerful examination of ethics and the effect that our digital lives can have on our real-world experiences.
Co-directed by Natasha Harrison and the Coliseum’s Artistic Director Chris Lawson, this is the first time that Four Minutes Twelve Seconds has been performed professionally in the North. The show premiered at the Hampstead Theatre, London in 2014 and earned Fritz the ‘Most Promising Playwright Award’ from The Critics Circle.
A powerful examination of ethics and the effect that our digital lives can have on our real-world experiences, the play tells the story of Di and David, who have devoted their lives to their teenage son Jack, helping him to become a smart, confident young man, well on his way to leaving Oldham to study Law at university. So when an intimate video of Jack appears plastered across the internet, they are forced to doubt their son, his friends and themselves.
Guaranteed to make your moral compass spin.
The play is very clever in that the audience never actually gets to see Jack on stage. Instead, the audience is encouraged to rely on his family and friends’ explanations of events to uncover the truth.
We’re thrilled that the cast includes Jo Mousley (Relatively Speaking and The Father, Oldham Coliseum) and Lee Toomes (The Full Monty, national tour 2019), alongside Alyce Liburd and Noah Olaoye.
Intelligent and provocative – punctuated by moments of dark wit – Four Minutes Twelve Seconds is guaranteed to make your moral compass spin.
Recommended for ages 16 and up.
