Prophets at Roxyboxy at Assembly Roxy Review

If I’m being honest, Prophets was never on my radar, but when I was asked if I wanted to cover it along with another show at a press event, I thought I’d give it a go. I walked in not knowing what the show was about. I had read the synopsis weeks back, but all the fringe synopsis have begun to muddle into one. But I am happy to report that I enjoyed the show a lot more than I expected to.

Prophets tells the story of a Scottish researcher who travels to an island in the South Pacific called Saint John and discovers how the islanders’ religious beliefs have been corrupted and unknowingly turned into a cult by the Prophet.

The piece consists of two actors, a male who plays a few different roles ranging from lovable to downright despicable and a female who plays the researcher. Played by Xander Cowan and Rebecca Wilkie respectively, the two are able to almost float across the stage, never forcing any emotional or physical weight onto the piece.

Covering the stage with what I believe was black gravel or sand was an interesting choice, almost creating a sense that not all is right and to be wary of things we may not fully understand.

It’s unclear for the first half of the show how it’s going to end, giving flashbacks but never fully explaining them to the audience, instead luring in the background waiting to pounce. The religious aspects were an interesting way to go; not many pieces go down the road of religious cults; instead, it seems to be more supernatural. 

I personally thought that the use of two torches, not just as lighting but also communication devices, was a smart choice. Yet I could see a few audience members having to either squint their eyes or place their hand in front so not to be blinded. 

Prophets is a thrilling piece about the exploitation of people’s beliefs, their trust and that two wrongs rarely ever make a right.

Prophets plays at Roxyboxy at Assembly Roxy until 31 August.

★★★★

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Written by Kerry for Theatre and Tonic, August 2026.