Writer: Danielle De Vries
Director: Tommy Boyce
KORE tackles the silent epidemic of benzodiazepine dependence. After the death of her father, Sam is left grieving and unable to sleep. A single call with a psychiatrist leads to a prescription of benzodiazepines, and her descent into dependence is swift. The toll is most visible in her fractured relationships as distance and addiction begin to erode her sense of connection.
Alongside Sam, Jenna wrestles with her own disillusionment. A copywriter who has lost touch with her passion for the piano, she drifts through London with little more than the false hope that John, the married man she is having an affair with, will eventually leave his wife. They both reminisce about the student days when they believed they might change the world. Jenna’s stepbrother, Nick, once entangled with Sam but now in a new relationship, brings the simmer of unresolved tension. Together, these characters orbit in toxic patterns with Sam caught in a twisted love triangle.
Danielle De Vries’s writing delves into what it’s like to live in a modern world and the significance of being seen. While Sam’s victimhood feels authentic, it can be frustrating in its repetitiveness. The characters’ struggles; Jenna’s insecurity, Nick’s dark mind, Sam’s isolation, make them compelling yet often unlikeable. The play points to the way drug use becomes less a cause than a symptom, a misguided remedy for alienation and invisibility in the modern world.
Performances are strong across the cast, though some secondary roles (the psychiatrist and the mother) veer towards stereotype. At times, the pacing feels hurried, rushing through moments that could benefit from greater depth. The standout is Edd Pullen as Darren, the delivery driver drug dealer. His presence brings a refreshing groundedness as he delivers both narcotics and uncomfortable truths, his humour and unexpected warmth highlight an alternative to the despair enveloping the other characters.
KORE succeeds in shining a light on the darker side of prescription medication and the devastating effects it can have. While its characters may not always be easy to connect with, the production leaves an impression of quiet unease and a reminder of how dependence can take root in ordinary lives.
Runs until 20 August 2025
Camden Fringe runs until 24 August 2025
