Ellen Leslie
Following two strangers who are unexpectedly flung into each other’s lives, A Thousand Invisible Choices explores how one small choice can change your life path, for better or worse. Eve, a divorced therapist, has travelled to Gairloch to attend her absent dad’s funeral and clear out his house. Feeling incredibly lonely, she has retreated to her hotel room with the well-stocked minibar and a playlist of songs for comfort. Crime writer Cam is on the run, choosing a random destination because he liked its name. When they are accidentally booked into the same hotel room, they slowly open up to each other, and bond over a bottle of whiskey.
Although the premise sounds like something out of a horror story, it is actually quite a cosy and heartwarming tale. Their small hotel room feels warm and intimate, and it is the ideal setting for Eve and Cam to get to know each other. Despite being very different people- Eve is a therapist who bottles up her trauma, which Cam has the emotional maturity of a teenage boy – they find they are inexplicably drawn to each other. It’s touching to see their fragile trust strengthen as they chat about everything, from their favourite football teams and crisp flavours, to Eve’s experience of domestic violence and Cam’s regrets.
The storytelling is rich and vivid; you really feel as if you are in the tiny village of Gairloch, walking along the beach beside the duo and drinking warm pints in a rundown pub that smells like gravy. The fishing nets and buoys at the front of the stage serve as a constant reminder of how close we are to the sea, while emphasising its importance to the storyline.
There are a few flaws that prevent the play from being spectacular. Some of Eve’s lines feel ingenuine, and as a result, it is hard to relate to the character. At times, both characters say the lines at the same time, which feels unnecessary and twee. By the end, their stupid decisions start to feel grating, but it seems like an intentional choice to show that even the tiniest choices can have huge consequences.
With flawed and deeply human characters, strong storytelling, and a compelling plot, A Thousand Invisible Choices is a wonderful little play, even if it does put you on the brink of an existential crisis overthinking all the choices that you make. The Wee Perthshire Dram-a Company are clearly very talented, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.
Recommended Drink: Whatever the hotel minibar has.
Performances of A Thousand Invisible Choices have concluded at Dundee Fringe 2026.
Tom Clayton
