Review: THE LAST WORD by Lisa McMullin at The Hope Theatre 1 - 7 August 2022

‘… exploring grief and dysfunctional family histories in a beguilingly funny way’ ★★★ ½

Lisa McMullin has written a short play exploring grief and dysfunctional family histories in a beguilingly funny way. Two men set off, through a nightmare of cancelled trains and misguided Ubers, to deliver the eulogy at a funeral. Their relationship is close but unclear – school friends, ex lovers? The answer to that question is a well delivered pay-off and gives the patter comedy a satisfying conclusion.

The two actors, Rik Grayson and Ryan Kennedy, have a good understanding: Grayson’s nervous dithering and Kennedy’s inappropriate banter work very well together, always hinting at something we don’t know yet. It is good, economical story-telling and well-drawn characterisation, and could have explored the men’s relationship beyond the reveal; the acting and the writing were capable of doing something serious if they chose.  The comedy routines they have down.

As it is, a slight but satisfying two-hander (somewhat marred by the fussy positioning of a set of crates to mark scene-changes) and a dialogue between two sympathetic actors that made for a good evening’s theatre.

The Hope till Sunday 7^th August at 7.00pm.

writer/director LISA McMULLIN                     

venue THE HOPE THEATRE, ISLINGTON

performances 1st – 7th August   

Box Office  https://www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/the-last-word/

Camden Fringe Show

cast  RIK GRAYSON Sonny  /       RYAN KENNEDY Jack                             

production writer-director LISA McMULLIN

Reviewed by Chris Lilly

Chris Lilly read Drama at Hull University in the 70s, stage-managed a bit, spent 8 years as a community arts worker in Tower Hamlets, did the occasional tech job, then taught in East London and participated in shedloads of community theatre. Since retiring from teaching, he has acquired an MA in 'Theatre' from the University of Surrey and indulged a passion for live performance anywhere in London courtesy of his Freedom Pass.