DramaLondonReview

Out of Season – Hampstead Theatre, London

Reviewer: Stephen Bates

Writer: Neil D’Souza

Director: Alice Hamilton

Have you ever wondered what goes on in a holiday resort such as Ibiza after the young revellers have departed? Have you ever wondered what becomes of fun-seeking lads when they are not lads any longer? Neil D’Souza’s bitter-sweet new coming of middle-age comedy sets out to answer these questions and to peel back layers of male friendships.

Chris. a small-time guitarist and singer is about to celebrate his 50th birthday. It is October and he arrives in Ibiza with his slightly older friend Dev, 30 years after they first holidayed at the same hotel in the same room 547. Dev is a somewhat geeky music teacher who has “I love Dvorak” tattooedin a private place and brings along a Thomas Mann novel for bedtime reading. Neither has maintained a successful relationship.

This is a character-driven play that relies on strong performances. Peter Bramhill’s Chris is a likeable extrovert who occasionally lets slip a feeling of low self-esteem and regret for missed opportunities. The writer himself gives a beautifully understated performance as Dev, a British Asian, who is withdrawn and has allowed himself to play the role of an underling. The two men’s inner characters start to be revealed when they meet two women, also holidaying from England – Holly (Kerry Bennett) and Amy (Catrin Aaron).

The play meanders rather aimlessly through an amusing but insubstantial first act, but it then springs to life with the appearance of Michael, the third member of the lads’ holiday of 30 years earlier, who immediately orders five magnums of champagne. James Hillier gives Michael the unpleasant swagger of a man who has achieved success as a music agent but has shown a callous disregard for others, particularly women, encountered along the way.

Director Alice Hamilton’s breezy production allows all five actors to shine in a compact studio space. A lot is crammed into Janet Bird’s set design, representing a standard Spanish tourist-class hotel room, dominated by a large double bed, which, we are assured, can be split into two singles.

D’Souza’s writing reveals a subconscious hierarchy in the structure of male friendship groups. Here, Michael is clearly the alpha and the other two fall in line behind him. Patterns of behaviour that are established at the start of their friendship prevail over decades and are repeated, with seemingly harmless banter turning into bullying which can leave permanent scars.

Out of Season is a gentle comedy with subtle insights. The writer leaves his characters with faint hints that, even in their Autumnal years, brighter futures can still be found.

Runs until 23 March 2024

The Reviews Hub Score

Bittersweet

Show More
Photo of The Reviews Hub - London

The Reviews Hub - London

The Reviews Hub London is under the editorship of Richard Maguire. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

Related Articles

Back to top button
The Reviews Hub