REVIEW: Double Act by Nick Hyde at Lion & Unicorn Theatre 9 – 13 January 2024

'I need you to know that I’m not a coward' ★★★★★ 

It would, perhaps, be a spoiler to talk too clearly about the subject matter Double Act covers—but a glance at the trigger warnings on the Lion & Unicorn’s website should give a clear picture. Suffice it to say, the protagonist duo—titled 1 and 2, playing two sides of the same 20-something Londoner’s thoughts—is not in a good head space, and hasn’t been in a long time.

It’s a testament to playwright Nick Hyde’s care for his topic that he’s asked for the help of multiple charities, interviewing them about their research and experiences. Representatives of three such organisations showed up the night I attended, and their enthusiasm during the following Q&A confirmed what the show already suggested: Nothing about Double Act is slap-dash or less than thought through.

Because as funny as its spirals of farcical absurdity are—ranging from testosterone-fuelled ape battles to takeaway-box acrobatics (don’t ask)—it’s the piece’s humanity and warmth that carries the evening. And none of that would be possible without the incredibly versatile and nuanced work of the two performers, Hyde himself and fellow actor Oliver Maynard. Both switch seamlessly between genres, characters, accents and genders without ever losing their connections to the work’s emotional core. They are utterly convincing as two sides of the same personality, and it’s a particular privilege to watch them strip away the farce trappings to reveal their shared protagonist’s vulnerability and hurt.

Jef Hall-Flavin’s direction is stylish and effective. He has created a black-and-white world in which French-inspired clowning, conversations with exes at McDonalds and heartfelt exchanges between strangers on trains feel equally at ease. His deft use of mics to differentiate between inner thoughts and real-world exchanges excellently translates Hyde’s text, and he seamlessly pulls off the tonal switches between hilarity and tears.

I truly would like to think of some clever criticisms to add, but, to be honest, the biggest quibble I had on the night was: Does Archway Station really have 133 steps? (Answer: It doesn’t, and even if it did, no one uses them I swear.)

If anyone would like to alter their mental star rating accordingly, feel free.

“I deserve more,” our protagonist says close to the end—and that is certainly true of this production. Here’s to hoping this is the start of its long life.

Read our interview with the writer Nick Hyde and director Jef Hall-Flavin here

DOUBLE ACT at Lion & Unicorn Theatre 9 – 13 January 2024

Box Office What's On — LION & UNICORN THEATRE (thelionandunicorntheatre.com)

Written by          Nick Hyde

Directed by                  Jef Hall-Flavin

Performed by              Oliver Maynard, Nick Hyde

Stage Manager  Ryan Mulgrew

Produced by Robbie Nestor

Reviewed by Anna Clart