Invisible Me at Southwark Playhouse Borough Review
Written by Eleanor V for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are our own
Content Guidance: This production contains strong language and scenes of a sexual nature. There are references to domestic abuse, drug taking, homophobia and bereavement.
The flirtatious ex-punk rocker, the naive cleaner and the bereaved neighbour. Together they form a trio of 60-year-olds who live in London and feel invisible. Although they live a stone’s throw away from each other, they spend much of their time alone as they contemplate the past and how to get out and grasp life again.
Bren Gosling’s new play was first performed in 2020 as a livestream at the Bloomsbury Festival and is now being staged in full for the first time. These characters all carry a great deal of humour, but also pathos, giving a seemingly realistic view of how ageing can feel. Their stories hold moments of sadness but ultimately end on hopeful and joyous notes. The production really drew me in, and I left the theatre smiling. I would have spent even more time with these characters if I could.
Following his divorce and estrangement from his children, Alec (played by Kevin N Golding) is coming to terms with navigating a single life in his later years. Although the trajectory of his story is fairly predictable, the way Golding navigates this with humour, joy and a genuine connection with the audience which reels you in. His moments of being a fish out of water were particularly well written, as are his early interactions with the other characters.
Lynn (played by Tessa Peake-Jones) finds herself in a rut; she has a job which he loves but pays her very little, she’s living in a house which she didn't expect to be in, and without the husband with whom she had a fraught relationship. But following an unexpected encounter, she finds a new sense of self-worth and confidence, which spurs her on to make connections around her. It is through this that the three characters in the play are introduced to each other. This moment really felt earned, not rushed at all, and is brilliantly written. I loved the way Peake-Jones played Lynn, who arguably has the most growth throughout the narrative. The way she has to repeatedly encourage herself to branch out felt really honest, as was the way she slowly came out of her shell.
James Holmes, as Jack, is seemingly the most invisible. Following the death of his partner, he rarely leaves the house and is scared to talk to his neighbours. But with encouragement from his therapist, he tries to branch out and become re-acquainted with the process of dating, now in the digital age. Holmes’ delivery of the text really elevates it, drawing out the character’s guilt and sadness. I just love how the majority of his dialogue is directed at his ex-partner as he desperately craves reassurance and permission to move on. The character perfectly balances against Lynn and Alec’s more outgoing natures and makes the joy he feels at the end of the play all the more satisfying.
Overall, Gosling’s play is a wonderfully condensed exploration of ageing, loneliness and longing. The strength of the writing is elevated by the strong performances of the cast, whose connection with the audience drew everyone into the narrative. It is funny, warm, heartfelt, sincere and moving, while also giving the depth every character needs. By the end, Invisible Me left me feeling optimistic and joyous, with the reminder that it is never too late to change the trajectory of your life and to reach out for connection.
Invisible Me is playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough from the 8th April – 2nd May 2026.
★★★★★
