REVIEW: OUTLYING ISLANDS by David Greig at Jermyn Street Theatre 6 February – 15 March 2025

‘strong thematic depth and striking visual elements’ ★★★★

What captures the audience first is the stunning backdrop, depicting the landscape of the outlying islands. Anna Lewis’s design, inspired by etchings, effectively evokes a sense of remoteness and exoticism, creating a striking contrast with Western civilisation through its black-and-white, ink-painting-like aesthetic. The broken door, linking the view to the outer world, serves as a powerful visual metaphor. While it may not be entirely logical, it enhances the drama effectively. Jessica Lazar’s direction makes excellent use of this backdrop as both an indoor and outdoor space, further enriched by David Doyle’s well-crafted lighting and Christopher Preece’s evocative sound design.

OUTLYING ISLANDS is a thought-provoking play by renowned Scottish playwright David Greig. It explores the contrast between civilisation and nature, as well as the complexities of human desire. The story follows two young men—one English, one Scottish—who arrive on the island to study its bird population. They are greeted by the gruff leaseholder, government official Kirk, and his niece, Ellen. As they begin to realise that their assignment is not merely about bird-watching but is linked to wartime plans, tensions rise. Their unexpected desires and impulsive actions ultimately lead to Kirk’s death, freeing Ellen from societal constraints. Ellen invites them to embrace a life of freedom away from the eyes of the world, leaving them in a state of inner turmoil.



Ellen, portrayed as a figure of innocence and raw human desire, contrasts sharply with Kirk, who represents societal oppression and rigid values. The two young men, competing for Ellen’s attention, embody the struggles of ordinary people who lack the courage to break away from their structured world. The play begins with a naturalistic tone but shifts between reality and dream-like sequences. While this stylistic choice is intriguing, I feel that the psychological depth could be further developed before these surreal moments occur. Strengthening this aspect would enhance the impact of the play’s dreamlike transitions.

Overall, Outlying Islands is a well-executed production with strong thematic depth and striking visual elements. It is compelling and definitely worthwhile to watch.

Photography: Alex Brenner

Box Office https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/outlying-islands/

Cast

Whitney Kehinde - Ellen

Bruce Langley - Robert

Kevin McMonagle - Kirk

Fred Woodley Evans - John

Creatives

David Greig - Writer

Jessica Lazar - Director

Anna Lewis - Set & Costume Designer

David Doyle - Lighting Designer

Christopher Preece - Sound Designer

Imogen Frances - Intimacy Director

Enric Ortuño - Fight Director

Eleni Beaumont Hulme - Costume Supervisor

Sarah Jones - Casting Director

Brigitte Adela - Assistant Director

Amos Clarke - Stage Manager

Jennifer Fletcher - Movement Director

Natasha Werblow - Assistant Stage Manager (placement)