one4review | On 18, Aug 2026

Gridlock is a play written by Kathryn Mincer about a charming couple, Alexa and Thomas played by Annika Foster and Ibrahim Bakhait, who’s seven-year relationship has fallen into Gridlock. Ironically the play begins with Alexa and Thomas stuck in their car in a traffic jam or Gridlock, on their way to an important appointment.

Both are sitting in silence with Thomas being inadvertently annoying and at this point your wondering if the show is just going to be about two people stuck in a car having an argument but that’s not the case. From the outset you can feel the tension between Alexa and Thomas with Alexa appearing to be the aggressor. Thomas adds to the tension when he seems oblivious to Alexa’s feelings, this is compounded when he texts Daniel from work and ignores Alexa’s frustration.

Despite the tension, both then reminisce when they hear a familiar song on the radio and for the first of many times in the show, they take you back to happier times when they first met, both disagree on who said “I love you” first but soon reveal who was right and who was wrong.

As they jump from being in the car to going back in time to key moments in their relationship including meeting the parents and celebrating Thomas’s 30th birthday, a defining moment in their relationship occurs when Alexa asks Thomas about his future plans and the answer isn’t what Alexa had hoped for, this was compounded when they hired an Air B&B for the weekend and despite some encouragement from her friends, again it didn’t end how Alexa had hoped. As the engrossing story builds, you start to see two different perspectives of the relationship from Alexa and Thomas’s point of view as both are pulled in different directions. Alexa has her heart set on a more permanent situation but Thomas’s blasé attitude leaves her feeling extremely vulnerable. Despite the turmoil, it’s clear they are bonded with a deep love for each other and as the show brings you up to date, reality hits them both hard. As they discuss their feelings, their worlds are blown apart leaving them with the inevitable choice of continuing on or going their separate ways!

I reviewed this show earlier in the year with a different actor playing Thomas, since then the show has matured and slightly expanded making it even more compelling. Despite the relatively small stage, the actors did well to move around but I think the show deserves a bigger stage. Annika’s performance is sublime, her ability to project raw emotion is compelling and she pulls you right into her plight, this combined with Ibrahims thoughtful, serious and at times hilarious facial expressions help cement their on-stage chemistry. The tension throughout this well written show is gripping, the performance is genius as you can’t help making comparisons to your own past and present relationships. The captivated audience loved this must see show that gives you so much food for thought!
*****
Steve.J.
Gilded Balloon Patterhouse