REVIEW: DAD by David Solomon at Golden Goose Theatre 22 September – 3 October 2026



‘… the individual scenes convince. The let-down is the revelations. Too many, and too much.’ ★★★

In a tidy little semi in an outer London borough, three warring brothers come together to resolve the mystery of their father’s disappearance. As the afternoon drags on, revelation after revelation of the family’s stormy history tells us more than we wanted to know about them.

David Solomon writes and performs in this, as the stay-at-home brother tasked with the father’s care. The dialogue is sharp and funny, the characterisations are acute, the individual scenes convince. The let-down is the revelations. Too many, and too much.

This is a cut down version of Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams’ family sagas, where the dark cloud that has hung over them finally bursts and dysfunction is explained. The plays explore a looming sense of doom and move remorselessly towards the final revelation. Very Greek.

Solomon proceeds by manufacturing a series of small revelations that pile up to a final big one, and does it by manufacturing one to one scenes, that require a surprise visit, a crow-barred excuse for the uninvolved actors to get off stage. It becomes predictable and almost farcical, and that isn’t the mood music the piece requires. The effortlessly funny back and forth between three brothers that opens the show gets darker and more doom-laden, but also more mechanical and less convincing.

It’s a promising play with a good cast, and it is briskly and effectively directed by Brittany Rex, but it desperately needs editing, it desperately needs fewer reveals, it would be better served by leading its audience to a revelation they can infer, rather than get clubbed over the head by.

Lots to enjoy, many good moments, but a severely flawed structure.

Part of the Lambeth Fringe, on till Saturday 3rd October 2026.

Cellar Door Theatre Company presents:

DAD by David Solomon at Golden Goose Theatre 22 September – 3 October 2026

BOX OFFICE https://www.goldengoosetheatre.co.uk/whatson/dad

Cast

Ivan Kaye as Aaron

David Solomon as Nathan

Nigel Betts as Karl

Paul Kelvin as Daniel

Joanne Arber as Leila

Jerry Ezekiel as Alistair

Creative

Written by David Solomon

Directed by Brittany Rex

Lighting and Sound Design by James Denny

Fight Direction by Nora Iso-Kungas