Time and Tide at Park Theatre

The new play from award-winning playwright James McDermott, Time and Tide, is a wistful comedy drama about a crumbling caff on Cromer Pier and the splintering of the relationships contained within it.

May’s Cafe, where the play is set, is up for sale. With the arrival of a Nando’s in Cromer putting Jason Donner Man and Abra-Kebabra out of business, and whispers of – God forbid – a Wetherspoons to follow, Cromer is changing. May is struggling with whether to stay or sell up and leave; her bread delivery man, Ken, says local business owners need to fight the chain restaurants. Today is her waiter Nemo’s last day before leaving for drama school in London, much to the disappointment of his best mate Daz, who can’t understand what’s so bad about Cromer – Norwich is only an hour’s moped drive away, after all. 

Time and Tide explores the conflict between staying with the familiar and taking the leap to face the unknown. It’s not only about leaving home, but about exploring sexuality. Daz weighs up his “bromance” with Nemo against the prescribed path his dad has set out for him: the three M’s – Missus, Money, Mortgage. 

The cast of Time and Tide deliver extremely strong performances. Elliot Liburd as Daz and Josh Barrow as Nemo play their bromance-or-something perfectly, portraying the friendship, the confusion and sexual tension beautifully. Liburd’s portrayal of Daz’s fracturing bravado and internal agony is particularly captivating. Paul Easom’s performance as the cumbersome Ken with a charming Broad Norfolk accent is pitch-perfect, delivering huge laughs. 

Time and Tide is slow to get going, but hits its stride in the second half. Once it gets into gear, it is equal measures laugh-out-loud, heartrending and nostalgic.

Miranda Slade
Photo: Gail Harland

Time and Tide is at Park Theatre from 5^th February until 29^th February 2020. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.