Night City at Southwark Playhouse (Borough) Review
Jack Ambrose in Night City. Photo: Lidia Crisafulli
Night City comes to Southwark Playhouse Borough as a new play from writer Max Wilkinson, inspired by his own experiences of the highs and lows of London’s gig economy. The drama follows three very different characters as they navigate love, loss and the importance of standing up for one another, bringing their stories together in a piece that explores how the way we treat others can ultimately affect us all.
One of the biggest standouts for me was the lighting and video design from Arnim Friess, which was super effective throughout and really helped to create the atmosphere of the piece. The whole set and overall vibe of Night City was engaging, with the intimacy of the smaller theatre space working particularly well for the more personal moments. I did find myself wondering whether the set could have had an even larger presence in a bigger space, as the design was one of the elements I found most effective and I think pushing this further could have helped elevate the storytelling even more.
I really enjoyed the way the three separate stories intertwined, with each character bringing something different to the overall narrative. Jack Ambrose, Helena Pipe and Bex Smith all work incredibly well together and have great chemistry on stage. Each actor has one or two main characters to focus on, whilst also showcasing their versatility through some great multi-roling throughout the piece. Their performances help to keep the story moving and ensure that each of the characters feels distinct.
The movement from Rose Ryan was another element that really stood out to me. It was incredibly impactful and contributed so much to the overall flow of the piece, making sure that each moment felt filled and purposeful. It worked particularly well alongside the technical elements and helped to maintain the energy of the production.
At its heart, Night City has a really important message about how we treat people and the impact that our actions can have on those around us, and I think that message really hits home. I thought the script was well written overall, although there were moments where I found the direction of the story somewhat predictable. Unfortunately, despite there being plenty to admire within the production, the play didn’t quite resonate with me as much as I had hoped. By the end, I was left without that overall sense of accomplishment that I was looking for, perhaps due to a slight disconnect with the script itself.
There is definitely potential within Night City, and there are some really strong creative choices throughout, particularly within the lighting, video and movement. Whilst it didn’t completely connect with me personally, there is a lot to appreciate in this intimate and engaging production, with three strong performances at its centre.
Night City runs at Southwark Playhouse Borough until the 3rd of October.
★★★
Written by Amelia for Theatre and Tonic, September 2026.