Review: LET’S PAUSE THERE by Russell Obeney and Andre Guindisson at King’s Head Theatre until 18 June 2022

‘A complex, refreshing, and frankly, hilarious play’ ★★★★

Sabastian is a softly spoken, measured, and seemingly amiable therapist. Unassuming, and normal. But what happens when our work, especially work so intrinsically linked to the human condition, leaves us no time or space to reflect on our own condition?

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive when I read the blurb of this play. The form of a therapist in a therapist's office, using questioning as a vehicle for exposition, has been done a million times (poorly) since the Sopranos (fantastically) popularised it as an option for writers in the 90s. However, that’s not what this was. Obeney and Guindisson’s choice to question the questioner – to put the therapist’s mind under the microscope – made for a complex, refreshing, and frankly, hilarious play.

Roger Parkins, in his portrayal of Sabastian, had a challenge on his hands. Obeney and Guindisson have created a hugely complex character who, though he puts on a brave face as he jovially wins us over, gives subtle hints of a man ready, and very much needing to, unravel. Aside from the odd bum note – completely forgivable considering the vastly contrasting emotions required by the role – Parkins as narrator and protagonist, had the crowd in his hand as soon as he opened his mouth. He plays both our vulnerable confidant and our comic relief and he delves into the psyche of his clients – while dangerously avoiding his own.

The characters surrounding Sebastian, though at times they risk being dismissed as stock, are called to both carry and challenge their stereotype simultaneously. The new-age hippy, the uber-masculine businessman, the sad clown, and the conspiracy theorist, are all, in some way, forced to bare their souls to us, while we, in turn, are forced to reflect on our myriad prejudices. A huge personal highlight for me was James Marchant’s portrayal of the salmon shirted, loud-mouthed, Barry. We endure his braggadocious posturing, threats to our protagonist, and his shameless flaunting of money, all the while waiting for the other shoe to drop. And drop it does.

Production-wise, it’s hard to fault. Lighting designer Ros Chase and sound designer Elijah Miller, push the space to its limits – the tube scene in particular being a notable victory.

I was blown away by this play. The delicate interweaving of laugh-out-loud comedy and heart-breaking vulnerability makes it an absolute must-see and a West-End worthy performance. 

Director - Ella Murdoch

Writers - Russell Obeney and Andre Guindisson

Venue - King’s Head Theatre

Dates - 7th - 18th June

Box Office - https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/lets-pause-there

Reviewed by Micheál Lagan