On the first day of their Drama degree, W and M are thrown together as scene partners. Their relationship soon progresses in a romantic haze of young passionate love with all the usual ceremonies; meeting the families, going away together and supporting each other through the stresses of their degree. They listen to each other. They respect each other. But everything changes after a drunken evening with their friends. On this night, when he takes off her underwear and his boxers, she says, “No”. But he doesn’t stop. In the fallout that follows, W struggles to process what has happened to her. She can’t assimilate the rape for what it was, because how could it be rape? He loves her. He couldn’t have done that.
ENDLESS SECOND is a play about consent within a relationship and how we talk about rape and explores how two people deal with a trauma that fundamentally alters the nature of their relationship.
REVIEWS
★★★★★ – UK Theatre Web – “The best, most thought-provoking show at the year’s Fringe.”
★★★★★ – Three Weeks – “Powerful, timely, and sensitive, ‘Endless Second’ is as excellent as it is important.”
★★★★★ – The Wee Review
★★★★★ – Bouquets & Brickbats (Awarded “Bouquets” as one of their Best Theatre shows at the Fringe) – “An intense, emotionally demanding piece – and my word, it’s impressive.” “a beautifully nuanced piece, at once unflinching and disarming”
★★★★ – The List – “Theo Toksvig-Stewart has crafted a subtle and nuanced script that aims straight towards controversy.”
★★★★ – Broadway Baby – “It smashes all stereotypes about rape and sexual violence”
★★★★ – British Theatre Guide
★★★★ – EdFringe Review – “Quite simply one of the most charming and real love stories I’ve seen on stage.” “A truly compelling piece, stunningly written by Toksvig-Stewart”
★★★★ – Broadway World.
