Countdown
★★★☆☆ Evocative
theSpaceTriplex (Venue 38): Wed 12 Sat 15 Aug 2026
Review by Flora Henderson
Countdown from Theatre Paradok at theSpace Triplex, is an ensemble piece exploring the mounting pressure facing teaching staff, based on the real experiences of young teachers across the UK and Singapore.
This is properly immersive stuff, with the cast greeting their arriving audience with such questions as ‘have you done your homework?’ – making the play’s subject matter immediately clear.
Esther Presslie with Callum Porteous and the ensemble. Pic: Paradok
The story revolves around recent university graduate Evie (Esther Presslie) as she sets out to achieve her teaching qualification. Presslie is engaging and believable as the aspiring educator, successfully portraying the deterioration of Evie’s resolve as she becomes lost under the strain of her new profession.
The stylised nature of the piece, directed by Morven Hawthorne, is established in an opening movement sequence. This could be effective, but is not particularly well executed. Paired with unsubtle and overly-explanatory direct address from the narrator (Callum Porteous), these heightened theatrical interludes do little to induce empathy, something which appears to be one of the show’s key aims.
too many topics
A multi-rolling ensemble of Rae Webb, Theodore Casmir-Lambert, Neve Scott and Gabrielle Collins, form the groups of friends, students, and other teachers who contribute to Evie’s experience. The ensemble members are generally strong, using multiple accents to mark the shifts in character. However, the inclusion of more definite differences in physicality would be helpful.
Evie’s world begins to unravel as she loses her support network and becomes isolated in an unforgiving system. Although all of the knock-backs she experiences are genuine examples of the struggles faced by teachers, one of the play’s main drawbacks is its attempt to include too many topics in a short space of time.
Esther Presslie (r) and members of the ensemble. Pic: Paradok
Writers Morven Hawthorne and Calvin Goh clearly feel passionately about the issues covered, which include gender discrimination, the increased use of AI, lack of mental health support for teaching staff, and insufficient Special Educational Needs (SEN) support.
However, without adequate time to cover each theme in detail, there is little nuance or depth in their portrayal. This results in the plot feeling rushed and the points crammed in. Which in turn limits the extent to which the audience is able to fully engage with the narrative.
talented
The ending, which should be poignant, is unfortunately predictable, and less impactful than if a personal connection with Evie’s story had been created.
Nevertheless, the performers are talented, bring energy and skill to this story, one which is unquestionably important. With some refinement, and a more precise focal point to the play’s political messaging, Countdown certainly has the potential to be a successful piece.
Running time: 55 minutes (no interval).
theSpaceTriplex (Studio), The Prince Philip Building, EH8 9DP (Venue 38).
Wed 12 – Sat 15 August 2026.
Daily: 9.05pm.
Tickets and details: Book here at EdFringe.com.
Tickets direct from venue: Book here.
Theatre Paradok website: theatreparadok.com/
Facebook: @theatreparadok
Instagram: @countdown.fringe2026
Instagram: @theatreparadok
Linktree: @paradoksocials.
Esther Presslie. Pic: Paradok
ENDS
