Clive by Michael Wynne at Arcola Theatre 30 July - 23 August 2025

'Quite moving....but an opportunity missed' ★★★

Thomas is a funny one. He's the kind of guy who says 'coffee woffee' and 'nighty nighty'. He is a voracious cleaner - he loves a bit of bleach and he shuffles around his bare flat in his cleaning shoes. He likes his food orders to be, well, ordered. And he doesn't go out. His best and only friend is his cactus, Clive, given to him by his departed partner whom had given Thomas the chance to lead a new life with him in Australia.

But Thomas chose to stay at home in his IT job and, post pandemic, it's there he stays just looking outside across a canal to his neighbours whose lives tick along whilst he undertakes Zoom calls with his colleagues and, well, very little else.

So, Thomas is a funny one who is troubled and likely depressed and inherently sad. As things begin to unravel with his work - his nemesis Naomi is looking to jettison him and there appears little that he can do about it - so Thomas further retreats and whilst he questions his life and what is happening to him it seems he can't function well enough to properly help himself. 

In a bare white set alleviated by smart moments of lighting by Chris Davey, director Lucy Bailey gives Thomas plenty to do and there is a sense of repetition in action and thought offset by things happening to him that move the plot forward. But, despite, a slight 60 minute run time the script never goes far enough and thus it feels just a little dull in places and things do meander. 

As Thomas, the very fine actor Paul Keating is not quite fully able to give Thomas rounded dimensions and feelings to make us care enough about what ultimately happens. Part of this is down to the story itself but I also full expect Keating to grow into the role through the run and thus explore Thomas more fully. I did find the ending quite moving as the prickles from the cactus that seem to hold Thomas back are replaced by the smooth edges of trees in the outside world.

So, Thomas is very much the victim here and there's plenty to say about isolationism and workplace practices. Interesting but perhaps an opportunity missed. 

Photos by Ikin Yum

BOX OFFICE

 The Company

Paul Keating

Thomas

Michael Wynne

Writer

Lucy Bailey

Director

Mike Britton

Designer

Elizabeth Khabaza

Stage Manager

Chris Davey

Lighting Designer

Nick Powell

Sound Designer

Brent Tan

Production Manager

Charlie Flint

Photography



Matthew 'Lux' Swithinbank

Production Electrician