Constellations (Trafalgar Studios)

Following an eight-venue UK tour and Broadway transfer, Nick Payne will be delighted that his award-winning play – first seen at the Royal Court three years ago – has returned to London in fine form.

Quantum cosmologist Marianne (Louise Brealey) meets bee-keeping Roland (Joe Armstrong) at a soggy BBQ, they trade small talk then part company.

Bee-keeping Roland is approached at a soggy BBQ by quantum cosmologist Marianne who attempts small talk with a bizarre story about licking elbows; Roland explains he has a wife.

Roland is a bee-keeper, he's also single, and when he bumps into quantum cosmologist Marianne at a soggy BBQ, a long and lasting relationship begins, despite a bizarre story about licking elbows.

Thus Constellations continues. An interesting, if at times disorientating, exploration of the notion of parallel universes through the medium of short, sharp, almost identical vignettes throughout the course of Roland and Marianne's tumultuous relationship.

From first sight to first fight, proposals to brain tumours; if you've ever done/said/slept with something (/one) you've instantly regretted and pondered the consequences of an alternative decision, then this play is for you.

Michael Longhurst's direction leaves no room for error as Brealey and Armstrong's verbal tennis match plays out the same game over and over, like an Isner–Mahut tie-break. The pair's familiarity with Payne's text allows them to focus on the minutiae of their infinite parallel characters and results in emotional, intelligent and very funny performances from both. Tom Scutt's design – white balloons adorn the ceiling mirrored by a honeycomb floor – is simple yet effective.

The play lasts little over an hour and, despite a slight dip around the 60 minute mark, packs in more than many plays twice or even thrice as long. I, for one, would go see it again, and again…

Constellations runs at the Trafalgar Studios until 1 August 2015. For more information and to book tickets, click here