Writer & Director: Stephen Leach
Co-Director: Mimi Collins
Can’t Wait To Leave returns to London as part of a 2024 national tour, following on from a successful debut and Edinburgh Fringe run last year. With a strong script from writer/director Stephen Leach and a fantastically fed-up performance from Zach Hawkins, it is no surprise this production bagged itself a future.
The play follows Ryan, a nineteen-year-old who moved to London six months ago to be closer to his high-achieving elder brother. Now working for Deliveroo with few prospects of his own, the move hasn’t lived up to Ryan’s expectations, and things only get worse when his brother announces his imminent move to the Midlands. With little chance of someone picking up the contract on his shoebox flat, Ryan must ride out the rest of his tenancy. Luckily, he recently made a wealthy older friend, Richard, who happily spoils him… though he is perhaps a little too keen to keep Ryan in London.
Leach writes Ryan as quite bitter and guarded from the outset, which makes for a rather intriguing protagonist. Hawkins’ performance heightens this further, opting initially for quite a blunt, nonchalant and sarcastic style of delivery which gives away little in the way of vulnerability.
Of course, big-city living can be merciless and pretending not to care is a flawed defence mechanism. Seeing how life gradually chips away at Hawkins is fascinating to observe, as key moments of hurt puncture his defences and his emotional walls are repeatedly built back up slightly weaker than before. Hawkins is particularly brilliant as Ryan’s tale wraps up, accepting his present circumstances and looking towards the future in a way that feels grounded, honest and realistic.
Can’t Wait To Leave has a clear identity which works in its favour. It presents an unromantic view of London life, spotlighting an unsympathetic young man trying to get out of the city unscathed. Leach’s play definitely embraces the bleakness of life, but just like its protagonist, there is a lot to unpack just below the surface.
Runs until 9 November 2024
