Saturday 30 November 2019

THEATRE REVIEW: You Game - The Studio Theatre, RADA, London.


Ivan Murphy plays Jack Guest, a famous screenplay writer, who is struggling to hold on to his wife. 'I don’t want her, but no-one else can have her either!!' He conspires with Bella (Alice McCarthy) to stage a robbery. But is there more to this plan than meets the eye? I can’t give too much away here as the play is an edge-of-your-seat thriller, amusing at times and thoroughly entertaining.

It was a compelling first half which left us on a cliff-hanger at the interval. Excellent performances from Ivan Murphy (Best Actor in an Indie Film at the LA film awards 2019) and from Alice McCarthy (Downtown Abbey 2019). Based on the play ‘Sleuth’ by Anthony Shaffer, ‘You Game’ brings us right up to the 21st Century touching on same sex relationships, hypergamy and both heterosexual and same sex marriage. This is the twisted story of lost love, revenge and murder. The writing was spot on, witty and up to the minute.

Right up to the end of the play I was unsure what would happen. Twists and turns, surprises and deviousness along the way mean that you cannot predict what would happen at the end. I even now have a craving to hear Madonna’s 'Borderline' and get up and boogie – Jack Guest’s dance moves were great and could almost give Travolta a run for his money!

RADA Studios, is a fabulous place to see theatre. I was lucky enough to have a front row seat and so felt really involved in what was happening. The set was simple but so effective and the fact that the actors could walk behind the shelves added another dimension. The poster of Jack’ Guest’s play was a take on that famous Jaws poster and a great touch to the scene.

Sam Ra the writer of the new play “You Game” was present at the performance tonight, and she had a bubbly engaging personality. She was greeting so many loyal friends and interested parties in the audience. Before the show I chatted to one of her friends who was very excited to see the performance. RADA studios doesn’t attract so many of the regular London theatre going set so it was a revelation to be with a younger arty, trendy audience. This play was a triumph. Ninety minutes filled with a lively dialogue and fantastic interpretation by Matthew Bosley, the Director. I loved it. I almost wished there was a third part as I didn’t want it to end. I would recommend this play for anyone who wants to experience real theatre in action in a great location.

Reviewer - Penny Curran
on - 28/11/19

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