Wishes is a sentimental and heartfelt story of love, loss, and the fragile beauty of human connection. At its core, the play carries echoes of A Christmas Carol, with an ‘angelesque’ figure guiding Adam through visions of Christmas Past and Christmas Present. Yet unlike Dickens’ tale, this production situates its magic in the everyday, grounding its narrative in the familiar chaos of a modern hospital.
The story begins on Christmas Eve, where Adam, suffering from a head injury, waits his turn in a crowded and impersonal A&E waiting room. His frustration and anxiety are palpable—he is already late for a family dinner and dreads the encounter with his stuffy, snobbish parents.
Into this tense atmosphere bursts Agnes, a jolly and exuberant figure who seems to know Adam intimately. From this moment, the play unfolds into a journey that blends memory, fantasy, and reality, leading Adam to observe his relationships with his partner, sister, and family and onto a sad conclusion.
Curtis Burrows (he could be mistaken for a young Robert Downey Jr) plays Adam with remarkable depth. His performance is layered, moving seamlessly from enthusiasm to despair, and finally to tears. There is a striking authenticity in his portrayal through his ability to convey vulnerability. Adam’s longing for the perfect Christmas Eve, where his partner Harry proposes to him, is both touching and bittersweet.
Harry, played by Sonny Simonelli, brings warmth and humour to the stage. His character is the only one to change costumes during the show, swapping Christmas jumpers three times, a small but effective detail that adds levity to the otherwise emotional narrative. Simonelli’s presence balances Adam’s turmoil, embodying the comfort and stability of love even in moments of uncertainty.
Jess Cole is Agnes, a character who defies easy categorisation. She is exuberant, almost as bouncy as a Christmas Elf, yet grounded enough to feel like a real person. Whether angel, elf, or visionary, Agnes becomes Adam’s advisor and confidant, dressed in festive attire that underscores her role as both guide and catalyst. Her energy is infectious, and she provides much of the play’s narrative.
Simina Ellis plays Anna, Adam’s sister, with a natural ease that makes her instantly relatable. I was amused to realise I had spoken to her in the café upstairs before the performance, where she had prepared my hot chocolate. Beyond her role on stage, Ellis is also the co-writer of Wishes, alongside Glenn T Griffin, who directs the production, with contributions from Simonelli. This collaborative spirit is evident in the play’s cohesion and emotional resonance.
The production is intimate, with a cast of only four actors and a runtime of eighty minutes. Despite its brevity, the show manages to be fast-paced, amusing, and deeply moving. The Christmas dinner set in Adam and Harry’s flat is particularly memorable. Assembled by Iulian Bilc, it captures the imperfections of real life — a wonky tree and borrowed chairs. It is a scene that many of us can relate to, and its authenticity makes the emotional stakes even higher.
Lighting and sound effects are used to enhance the atmosphere without overwhelming the small performance space. The technical elements are impressive, especially given the intimate setting of the Libra Theatre Café in Camden Town. With its café upstairs and theatre downstairs, the venue itself deserves recognition as an ideal spot for creative work.
Ultimately, Wishes is a play that blends humour, sadness, and hope in equal measure. It is a reminder of the fragility of life, the importance of family, and the enduring power of love. The short run makes it even more precious—this is a production to catch before Christmas, one that will linger in your memory, it is designed to make you assess the importance of life and enjoying every moment, even the difficult ones.
Wishes runs from 17th – 21st December 2025
Reviewer - Penny Curran
On -18th December
No comments:
Post a Comment