Daytona is a three-person production by Oliver Cotton starring Maureen Lipman (Elli) Harry Shearer (Joe) and John Bowe (Billy). The set is a simple apartment which increases the effectiveness of the intense and interesting dialogue.

Elli and Joe start the show by dancing; they are practising for a competition the next night. Their casual, humorous bickering demonstrates that they have been together for a long time. It seems an ordinary evening. After Elli’s departure to her sister’s house, Joe is visited by his estranged brother, Billy, whom he has not seen for thirty years. The revelations that follow are dark, sometimes disturbing and completely fascinating.

Maureen Lipman’s character is a smart-talking, shrewd Jewish housewife. Her casual sniping at both the male characters lifts the performance but at times her character is also full of despair and has a particularly moving scene in the second act. The re-introduction of Billy into their lives is akin to the detonation of a bomb- feelings, long since buried, come rushing to the surface and the fallout is huge.

The theme of Daytona Beach and Florida is important in the performance: the noise of the waves between scenes makes one think of the ocean moving endlessly with various undercurrents, and this juxtaposes beautifully with the interior lives of the characters.

Daytona is really gripping. The storyline moves from humour to despair to anger at an astounding pace. Although quite tense, it is also amusing and intelligent throughout. The themes of the play are quite dark at times, but compelling to watch. Perhaps the play may seem to be aimed at older audiences in some respects but the underlying emotions in the play can be understood and enjoyed at any age.  An absolutely excellent evening of fascinating theatre which can be thoroughly recommended.