Double Act - Review

Reviewed by Lauren at Southwark Playhouse Borough
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.

Double Act is a stupendous show with two of the most connected actors I’ve ever seen (suppose you must be to play the same person together so convincingly!). Together they transport us into the mind of an anxious 28 year man feeling ‘stuck’ in his life, a feeling that so many people are, unfortunately, familiar with. This unnamed fellow, played by both Nick Hyde & Oliver Maynard, is trying to get through his ‘perfect last day’ which he hopes can be filled with ‘all the things I wanted to do’, but is struggling to decide what that is and whether it matters after all.

Photo by Tanya Pabaru

The gripping text by Nick Hyde starts unexpectedly with both actors narrating in first person, a fun puzzle that makes the audience sigh with relief of not being spoon fed plot. The words flowed with rhythm and sometimes rhyme, the two actors took on a Laurel & Hardy vibe; sometimes speaking unison and sometimes hilariously bickering with each other. I can’t pinpoint the exact penny drop moment I realised they were inside the same mind, voices giving doubt and pride and hope and greed and confusion, – the subtlety was a delight.

The black and white colour theme reflecting the colourless life is obvious as soon as they enter. Their matching monochrome look, white painted faces with sad-clown under-eye triangles in black combined with their masculine black and white rugby style shirts, immediately tells us this is not going to be some original night at the theatre. Directed by Jef Hall-Flavin, who evidently has a keen eye for detail and the other for comedy, this heart wrenching, delicate, and funny day-in-the-life story is not one to miss.

Hyde’s and Maynard’s ability to multirole was incredible, without changing costume they seamlessly morphed into people that our protagonist came into conversation with through-out his final day. The first time we meet Faben, an old school ‘friend’ who is now working in finance – you know the type, everyone knows a Faben. Maynard took on this character’s voice and physically before I had time to blink, and we completely believed every second. Equally as superb, Hyde stepped into other interesting strangers (no more spoilers) with fantastic specificity, he brought a realism to the multi-roling that was undeniably touching. The actors leaned into every character with such commitment it became easy to be swept into the reality they created, whilst also being in awe of their talent.

Photo by Tanya Pabaru

Over the course of the day a sad white trash can is slowly filled with white items; representing all he is and all he has in the world. The only contrasting item being a sparkly notebook from his ex-girlfriend, brought to encourage him to start a gratitude journal. Appreciation being his only armour against the crippling emotions he’s experiencing, but even gratefulness has its limits. Whilst attempting to try every option on the Maccies menu he meet with his ex, played by the brilliantly versatile Maynard. In this awkwardly sad, funny and at times brilliantly uncomfortable scene we watch his ex deliver some hard truths; ‘you make the people you love feel sad’. The writing, also by Nick Nyde, is filled with so manysignificant moments, a real mix of unquestionably tear jerkinglines, strong humour, and relatable scenarios.

Couple of disappointments (however not the actor’s fault); the seating was cramped and crowded, which meant at times this uncomfortable set up did pull us from being fully immersed. As did a couple of latecomers, whom 10 minutes in had to cross the stage to the seats whilst actors carried on setting the scene. They could consider either not accepting latecomers due to the staging lay out or perhaps incorporating it into their clown-esque playfulness, as the unpredicted moment being ignored gave the beginning an eggy feeling.

My personal favourite moments were the larger-than-lifeclown sequences which provided a lot of laugh’s and showed off the actors unwavering connection and spot on comedy. From sprinting (on the spot) at the train station to messily stacking up and throwing about white McDonald boxes to over the top petty tube arguments –their wonderful physicality and perfect comic timing seemed effortless.
‘What do you do on your last day?’, the story doesn’t directly answer the question for us, however the strikingly sensitive end does leave us with a feeling that even at our lowest we are not alone. A must-see play performed by two dedicated and delightful actors. Go, and take everyone you know with you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Double Act plays at Southwark Playhouse Borough in London until Saturday 5th April. Tickets are available from https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/double-act/ 

Photo by Tanya Pabaru