REVIEW: Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph at Golden Goose Theatre, 24- 28 February 2026
'This production team brings an added element by injecting just the right song for each scene' ★★★ ½
The strange juxtaposition of Fleabag wiping blood from her nose and claiming “This is a love story”, that now famous opening line, could also apply to this quirky play about two childhood friends, Doug (Rudra Bharadwaj) and Kayleen ( Kristyna Havelkova). They are both prone to injury, whether accidental or self-inflicted, but there is a perplexing attraction in their midst. Doug believes that Kayleen (or Leenie) can heal him, that her touch possesses power, and yet she is unable to see it, or figure out how to help herself.
While big, colourful letters on the wall remind us that this is about “gruesome playground injuries”, two large boxes, two benches, and two blue-and-white striped pillows are all that are used on stage. Numerous costume changes, with the actors delving into the boxes, while exchanging some knowing glances, are conducted in view of the audience, to a rocking playlist.
Maggie O’Farrell, author of Hamnet wrote a memoir called I Am I Am I Am: 17 Brushes with Death, which I recalled when watching this piece. This story is told in a series of non-chronological scenes at different stages of the protagonists' lives, and the actors effortlessly change facial expressions and mannerisms for their respective ages… and injuries. From the moment they meet in the school's nurse's office, their lives converge and diverge, even as they experience illness and injury.
There is significant ambiguity in this piece about what causes these two to want to take huge risks or self-harm, and why they have such a ‘will they/won’t they?’ relationship; yet, with the mental health challenges faced by today’s youth, this piece does have something to offer. There is humour in the midst of the darkness, and when the situations become more outlandish, there is more evidence of the two young people’s never-ceasing care for each other.
This production team brings an added element by injecting just the right song for each scene, such as “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John and Tracy Chapman crooning, “Give me another reason to stay here… you gotta make me change my mind”. It creates variety to the pace and sympathy for our star-crossed lovers, as we listen to The Cure’s To Wish Impossible Things: “Remember how we used to be... these days would never end” and our heart breaks a little to The Magnetic Fields’ All My Little Words: “You are a splendid butterfly… But I could never make you stay”.
American playwright Rajiv Joseph is having a moment in Britain, with two long-run shows in the first half of this year at other theatres (Bengal Tiger and Archduke). This is a chance to taste his dark humour and unconventional storytelling. I can’t help thinking this was a break for him from the serious, political pieces he is usually working on, and gives the audience a chance to experience a universe in which love hurts… literally.
Written by Rajiv Joseph
Performed by Rudra Bharadwaj, Kristyna Havelkova
Directed by Alex Stroming
Produced by Rebecca Tozzoli-Clozza, AThespian Studios
Movement Direction by Tutu Ching
Technical Stage Manager: Jessica Potts
