The Sequel at King’s Head Theatre Review
Written by Becky K for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
Lucas Closs’ new dark comedy, The Sequel, explores the successes and breakdowns that occur when famous literature is based on real people and places. Directed by Imy Wyatt Corner, the play is a refreshingly witty commentary on the prolonged "location gentrification" of ordinary places once they become fictional landmarks.
When successful author Grace (Nisha Emich) visits the old cafe that inspired her breakout novel, she discovers it is trapped in time, hyper-fixated on its status when the story was written. Owner John (Jim Findley) is desperate for Grace to be inspired to write about him again so he can remain commercially relevant. Meanwhile, cafe worker Martha (Julia Pilkington) claims not to have read the novel, yet reveals dark, uncanny similarities to Grace’s characters.
The story is set to a beautiful live score by Deniz Dortok and Lydia Cochrane. The folky background music establishes a wonderful ambience, using an array of instruments to craft intensity and softness exactly when needed.
Notably, the play takes place in real time, with the entire plot revolving around this 75-minute interaction. The narrative is driven primarily by the cast’s charismatic storytelling. Pilkington, in particular, is entertainingly whimsical and a delight to watch. She collaborates effectively with Findley; together, they form a compelling double act as John and Martha join forces to get under Grace’s skin. However, the real-time format means the play occasionally "feels" its length; further character development and context might have helped drive the narrative more dynamically.
There are also minor refinements that could better immerse the audience. For instance, the thrust staging wasn't always fully utilised in the blocking, with actors occasionally facing away from certain sections for too long. Likewise, while Peiyao Wang’s set design is brilliantly immersive, more detail could be added to reinforce the specific influence Grace’s book had on the cafe’s aesthetic.
Performing at King’s Head Theatre until 2nd May, The Sequel is a sharp production packed with dry humour. It offers a unique examination of how authors can be simultaneously idolised and resented by the very people who served as their inspiration.
★ ★ ★
