Talk Show review, Royal Court

Talk Show is the sixth of six plays run over six weeks at the Royal Court: 666. Last week one of the distinguished ensemble that has helped create this short and sizzling season, Paul Bhattercharjee, committed suicide. Suicide is a recurring theme in this eccentric, challenging piece of writing by Alistair McDowell, which Bhattercharjee was rehearsing when he died.  One wonders if the script subliminally affected the actor - who had the lead in The President Has Come to See You, but only a small part in Talk Show - as his action must surely affect his colleagues across every performance.

Boa the seer

McDowell's play is never dull, and includes some terrific silences, but while the what and the who are well developed, the 'why' is unconvincing. The action begins with Sam, who is 26 and unemployed and runs an internet Talk Show from his basement bedroom. With corny jokes and canned laughter, he cheeses it up for his eight viewers, presenting guests like the chap from the fried chicken shop and the owner of a boa constrictor. It is surely the first time a live six foot snake and a dead mouse have shared a scene on a West End stage. When Sam's dishevelled and clearly mad uncle, Jonah, arrives through the window one night, we discover that for all the talk with strangers, words are rarely exchanged in a house filled with emotionally incontinent men.

Upstairs, Sam's father, Bill, squeezes into their shared suit for a soul destroying round of interviews for menial jobs. He has given his room to his own father, Ron, and is sleeping on a camp bed by the front door. He communicates with his son via a baby monitor. When he does visit the basement, he's looking out for items to sell on eBay. On the breadline in a broken town, Sam's salvation is his show, but even that equilibrium is threatened with Jonah's disruptive reappearance. After five years abroad, can Jonah make peace with his past, or is it time to end it all? The detail that follows is unconvincing, but the performance of Jonjo O'Neill whose unique physical energy and presence transforms every moment, is not.

In conclusion: Caroline Steinbels must have had a hard job keeping everyone focused after the loss of a valued member of the company, but has done it well. Ryan Sampson is a wonderful Sam, almost literally dwarfed by the power of the men in his household. Ferdy Roberts is both funny and sad as Bill, in his undersized suits and pyjama bottoms.

References
The President Has Come to See You, Review

Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW3.   This production is now over.