REVIEW: CUL-DE-SAC by David Shopland at Omnibus Theatre 27 May – 14 June 2025

‘Shopland exhibits strategic mastery in this witty play, revealing the cause of underlying tensions’ ★★★★★

Every once in a while we can be met with a play that resonates deeply within ourselves, something that we can relate to in every sense. Something that touches our innermost feelings and thoughts and reflects what we believe and what we think and what we fear. Not very often, I must admit but just often enough to surprise us. On the occasions that this happens we are happily reminded how sublime some of the work done in this industry is. Tonight it was so with this play.

Primarily involved with the relationships of three couples, although we don’t see some of the partners, it starts in the house of Ruth and Frank Townsend. Ruth is a former psychologist married to Frank a hospital administrator who tonight is complaining about someone parked in his driveway. A visitor comes round, the local vicar’s wife who does not seem quite right, is agitated and a bit jumpy which may or may not be her natural disposition but anyway we find out later about that. The next to entre is Simon Waller, a neighbour who works in a gardening centre and whose wife has recently left him.

This all sounds a bit serious and what we also find out is that all these people are holding onto something. This is a story about secrets, secrets that get revealed as the story proceeds. This is an incredibly funny and very witty play but underneath the witty comments traded between the couple whose house it is there is an underlying tension which inevitably comes to the fore.

After having the audience in stitches for most of the time, the first half of the play ends in a massive brawl. The second half of the play then proceeds to examine the aftermath. Gone is the humour, replaced by a psychological and emotional insight into what has really been going on.

The drama starts when explanations and back stories come out in an example of writing that exhibits strategic mastery. Why everyone was so full of anger and angst, venom, guilt and confusion is shown by the writer who does a fantastic job of allowing each character to relate their own story in turn. Laying bare the human condition this allows us to understand how things from their pasts have shaped their present and govern their behavior.  The things that caused the characters to have their problems, issues and misunderstandings between each other are wrapped together to form a fascinating plot. This is a very deep study into people’s lives and relationships and is expertly done by the writer.

All of the cast without exception were outstanding. The comedy of Callum Patrick Hughes as Simon Waller was underpinned by a sense of deeper emotional trouble in his character. The eccentricity of Lucy Farrett who played the vicar’s wife Marie Gilchrist was there for great comic effect but also to disguise the fact that something else was afoot. The plain speaking Hamza Al-Haytham played by Behkam Salehani expertly shifting between blokishness and gooey infatuation. Ellis J. Wells as Frank Townsend and Shereen Roushbaiani as Ruth Townsend both gave emotional performances as husband and wife, as well as showing how strain in a relationship gets unleashed in passive aggressive bickering hiding in plain sight as witty banter.

In the end some of the problems were resolved between some of the couples but I’ll leave you to find out what happens to whom.  You must go and see this if you can, it is the best play I’ve seen for years and possible the best modern play I’ve ever seen. Once again I must say how outstanding the acting was and that some if not all of the cast and writer need to be nominated for some kind of an award.

Don’t miss it.

Read LPT interview with writer and director David Shopland here

Images: Kat Foryth

CUL-DE-SAC

Director and writer David Shopland

Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4

BOX OFFICE https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/

Produced by Fake Escape

Website www.fakeescape.org/cul

CAST

Shereen Roushbaiani

Ellis J. Wells

Callum Patrick Hughes

Lucy Farrett

Behkam Salehani

Stage Manager Ellie Holloway

Assistant director Lexie Woodroof

Movement Director Jahraine James

Dramaturg Roann Hassani McCloskey