Review: Dinner by Moira Buffini at the Omnibus Theatre 6 - 24 May 2026
'a gripping exploration of wealth, socioeconomic class and moral values' ★★★★★
Kai Creative Studios presents a revival of Dinner by Moira Buffini. A story in two acts; wherein a hostess invites a group of her supposed friends for an extravagant dinner. One evening, several courses and plenty of drama. Dish after dish, a metaphor of madness ensues! This play explores wealth, socioeconomic class and moral values. Buffini flirts with the symbolism of consumption in both the societal and culinary meaning.
Executed by a deliciously talented cast, these characters clash and collide within this movemented, pacey and eerie piece. While there are moments of purposeful uncertainty for the audience, the storytelling provides a thorough scope of each character. Striking, believable and funny individual performances all round.
Directors David Fairs & Conor O’Kane construct a version of this play that feels raw, immersive and gripping. The show's set design defines an elegant and refined aesthetic. It reinforces the sense of wealth and spoiltness possessed by the characters. The dining table; a prop centric to the narrative, shape shifts from scene to scene; accumulating a sense of unpredictability and time passing. Sound Design equally provides an undertone of unsettledness throughout.
Dinner is a hard show to pin down. What is its genre? This adaption is a bold, chilling surrealist thriller full of conflict and debate with a garnish of lust. Whether you love it or hate it, you cannot deny that it is well done. Acted and staged with conviction. An unhinged whirlwind that is both bizarre and high quality entertainment. This revival of Dinner is a hypnotic, atmospheric concoction!
Photography: Charles Flint
DINNER BY MOIRA BUFFINI
PRESENTED BY KAI CREATIVE STUDIO
DIRECTED BY DAVID FAIRS & CONOR O'KANE
AT OMINIBUS THEATRE UNTIL 24 MAY 2026
