Two struggling actors, Verity and Jackson, are stuck in a provincial theatre, wasting their talent in panto. Jackson wangles the audition of a lifetime in Othello at the Globe Theatre, London, through a former girlfriend, Ana, who’s assistant to the famous director Sir Phillip Demoniere. This production will only cast unknown actors.
But, there’s a huge problem…they only have 48 hours to make the 250 mile journey. All coaches are booked; the trains are on strike; only one 6am train for London has tickets going for £200 each. They hatch a plan to get to London any which way they can.
Plan A: They hop on the 6am train, aiming to dodge the fare, but get kicked off at Taunton.
Plan B: They smuggle themselves into a luggage compartment of a Coach. But, at a motorway service station, they get caught sneaking out for water and kicked off near Swindon.
Plan C: They hitchhike on the motorway, and are propositioned by the first driver to a menage a trois in exchange for a lift to the Globe Theatre.
Verity decides to hitchhike home when Jackson pitches one last plan. A drama school friend, Mumbles, lives nearby. He’ll to put them up for tonight. They’ll ask for his help to get to the audition. If not, they’ll head home. Verity agrees.
Jackson discovers Mumbles can’t help them get to the audition. Jackson lies to Verity, claiming Mumbles will let them borrow his car. With Verity as the driver, they take the car, whilst Mumbles sleeps.
They reach central London, only to get pulled over by Police, then flee, rushing across Tower Bridge before the bascules are raised, getting across in time, losing the chasing police.
They arrive at the audition, with seconds to spare. Ana reveals Jackson lied again…only he had an audition, dragging Verity along just for support. Verity convinces Sir Phillip to let her have an audition. She auditions for Iago, clashing with Jackson’s choice. She gives an amazing performance Jackson’s audition is a disaster. Ana lends them the coach fare home. Jackson tries to smooth over his lies, but Verity can’t forgive him.
At home, Verity wins the role of Iago, Jackson gets nothing. Jackson seeks solace about going back to London with Verity, But she has shocking news…she’s going…without him. He is stunned.
As Verity prepares to go to the London they drift apart. On the day Verity is leaving for London, Jackson realises he’s being an idiot. He rushes to the train station, catching Verity before she leaves. He confesses he’s a mediocre actor and she’s the truly gifted one. She deserves this chance. They say a tearful goodbye and the train leaves.
Verity settles in with her new cast and rehearsals. Jackson works with the actors in the panto, becoming a co-director.
Jackson watches Vez’s triumphant performance as Iago. Afterwards, they accept they’re on different paths, but are forever friends.
