Synopsis

England, various locations near Heathrow Airport, amid the poignant and intersecting lives of three pairs of characters

Simon Stephens’ Wastwater intricately weaves together the stories of three interconnected encounters. In the first scene, a young man named Harry bids farewell to his foster mother Frieda in a greenhouse before leaving for Canada. Their conversation reveals deep-seated emotions and unresolved tensions, touching on themes of family and departure. The second scene shifts to a hotel room at the Crowne Plaza, where Lisa meets her lover Mark. Their encounter is laced with erotic tension and emotional vulnerability, exploring the dynamics of infidelity and personal revelation. The final scene occurs in a deserted warehouse where Sian, a young woman, confronts Jonathan, an older man, in an intense and unsettling interaction that delves into themes of power, exploitation, and moral ambiguity.

Through its triptych structure and morally complex characters, Wastwater examines the hidden depths beneath seemingly ordinary lives. Stephens juxtaposes moments of tenderness with unsettling revelations, challenging the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and the consequences of our choices in an increasingly interconnected world.