Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jayne Atkinson and Tim Daly navigate romance vis-à-vis politics in Lia Romeo’s likeable two-hander STILL

• By drediman
• April 19, 2024
• No Comments

Last night, Colt Coeur’s production of Still by Lia Romeo opened Off-Broadway at the DR2 Theatre just off of Union Square. Set over the course of a single fateful night, Romeo’s likeable new two-hander stars Tim Daly and Jayne Atkinson as Mark and Helen, former lovers who — in their twilight years — meet at a hotel wine bar to attempt to rekindle their romance.

With a running time of just about 75-minutes, the slight, intimate play is solidly written and efficiently plotted. Still is a play that knows exactly what it is — and delivers. The production has been directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, whose naturalistic staging is subtle and elegant, leaving it up to the two performances to do much of the observable work. The first half of the play is a graceful dance of catch-up and re-acquaintance. After reconvening in Mark’s hotel room, politics are introduced to the conversation, after which their interactions become increasingly fraught, eventually reaching a boiling point. Ultimately, however, the work ends on a hopeful — if unresolved — note.

In the hands of Daly and Atkinson, Still goes down easily — one can’t help but root for things to work out between the two characters. Indeed, their acting is as natural as breathing, which is not surprising given the actors’ impressive previous work for stage, film, and television. As Helen, Atkinson is particularly luminous in an attractively unassuming way. Daly gives a sincere and sturdy performance as Mark, and there is undeniable, palpable chemistry between the two of them. It’s a pleasure to see stories about older characters depicted with such sensitivity and care.

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STILL
Off-Broadway, Play
Colt Coeur at DR2 Theatre
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
Through May 18