Time Stands Still in All the Time in the World at Barn One Act Festival

Thomas Adams (Him), Ashley Thomas (Her), and Time feature prominently in
All The Time in the World, directed by Maureen Mansfield
PHOTO:  Adam Barnowski 

All the Time in the World is one of six short plays featured in the Farmington Players One Act Festival (June 21-23 at the Barn Theater).  Maureen Mansfield directs this “lovely story about two lonely people who through a chance meeting manage to bring a bit of comfort and happiness into each other’s lives.”  Two strangers meet in a train station: a salesman (“Him”) played by Thomas Adams, and a bubbly young bride (“Her”) played by Ashley Thomas.  While they wait for their train – and Her’s guy – to arrive, they discuss their hopes and dreams for the future.

Thomas Adams describes Him as “a middle aged salesman who is kind of stuck in his life. A bit of a workaholic.”  Thomas relates to Him because “I certainly have had times in my life when I've wanted to start my life over. The character I play also doesn't seem to have taken any big risks in his life, which has been true in my life as well.”  Ashley Thomas calls Her “a bundle of joy. She is not happy with her life in her town, but she still has dreams and is still happy. That's what I love about Her. She can be a bit rude and sassy, but that's what makes her funny. She also is the type of person to tell a stranger her whole life story, and I find that hilarious.”  And Ashley thinks that she is “just like Her: I have moments of false hope. I am naive about some things, but hopefully not as much as Her.”

Maureen was drawn to the play’s themes of “discontent, settling, hope, love, and friendship.  This show is a lovely heart warming piece that makes you feel good despite its sad undertones.”  Similarly, Thomas says, “I like how Him shows tenderness and sympathy toward Her. The characters are very relatable. They show their vulnerabilities and express sensitive emotions. It is a very touching show.”  Ashley knows that audiences will enjoy All The Time In The World because it “has you on the edge of your seat. You're rooting for Her and her guy, and wishing he shows up. There's also moments of comedy, and sadness, so there's really a bit of everything.”

Maureen is one of several experienced directors that are involved in bringing the first One Act Festival to the Barn.  Maureen is so invested in the festival’s success that she is also acting in Good Morning, Miriam, another one of the plays.   The One Act Festival has 3 scheduled performances at the Farmington Players Barn Theater on June 21 (8:00), June 22 (8:00) and June 23 (2:00). Tickets are available online at farmingtonplayers.org or by emailing boxoffice@farmingtonplayers.org or calling the Barn box office at 248-553-2955.