Dear Martin, Arcola Theatre Review
Written by Danai for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Dear Martin, written by Madeleine Brettingham and directed by Wiebke Green, tells the story of Martin (Alex Mugnaioni), a character who, to put it simply, is a psychopath. A myth has been built around his name despite the brutal crime he committed, which is never explicitly mentioned. Not only is he infamous, but he also has numerous fans who send him messages and seek him out while he is imprisoned for his crime.
When Dave (Ben Simpson), the second main character of the play, realises that his wife has been sending romantic messages to Martin while their relationship seems to be on a downward spiral, he decides to take action. Dave visits Martin, marking the beginning of a strange, escalating interaction. Over time, their meetings grow more frequent, with Martin offering advice on how Dave can win his wife back. However, it becomes clear that Martin’s advice is manipulative, and Dave, a highly submissive character, appears to simply give in to Martin’s influence, doing whatever he says.
As their relationship develops, the two remain estranged until the end, with Dave never really questioning the crime Martin has committed. Throughout their meetings, they communicate, and while Martin’s psychiatrist (Amelia Donkor) suspects that Martin gets close to Dave only to gain a character reference for a transfer to another prison, Dave insists on his new friendship. Their relationship flourishes through letters, which replace the letters Martin once exchanged with Dave’s wife.
Alex Mugnaioni succeeds in making Martin both mysterious and captivating, as the role demands. His performance is one of the standout features of the play, contributing significantly to its impact. His physicality, speech, and actions all seem perfectly tailored to the role, bringing it to life. What’s especially compelling is how, as an audience, we come to sympathize with Martin, finding certain aspects of his character strangely attractive. This amplifies the tension, as we constantly question who Martin really is, what’s hiding behind his mental illness, and the crime he’s committed. The fact that the crime is never clearly revealed is a clever decision, keeping the mystery lingering throughout the performance. While I personally would have liked a bit more clarity by the end, this ambiguity serves to keep us immersed in the mystery of the present.
On the other hand, Dave’s character is somewhat different. While his performance was also strong, Dave’s character remained more one-dimensional. The production chose to focus on his naïve and passive personality, which worked to contrast his relationship with Martin. While this may have helped define the characters’ polarities, it made Dave’s development feel less nuanced. As a result, there was a sense of circularity in the characters' journey, with them not truly evolving but instead remaining trapped within their own dynamics. While this may have been the creators’ intention, it left me questioning the overall purpose of the work.
The play raises interesting ideas, especially in its portrayal of the relationship between Dave and Martin. The use of their correspondence and the tension between them is compelling, but I couldn't find a deeper meaning that resonates with today's audience. Although it’s an interesting and original idea, especially for the theatre, I felt there was a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the psychological elements, such as exploring what it means to be a psychopath or the impact of mental illness. I also think the characters could have been developed further in ways that would surprise and engage the audience. As it stands, the story feels a bit restrained, and the tension, although present, never quite reaches its full potential. Even the scenes that flirt with horror elements, such as the balloon scene or the intense moment with the chair — where Martin grabs it and it’s unclear who he might strike — felt too few and didn’t quite deliver the level of suspense needed for a truly gripping psychological thriller.
Overall, it was a visually compelling work, with the white dominating the space and nicely contrasting not only the clothes and details (such as the blue balloons) but also the vibrant personality of Martin. It was an inspiring work, which I wish had gone a step further to create something truly unique and explore a deeper depth of its themes.
At Arcola Theatre until 29 March 2025
★ ★ ★
