REVIEW: MASTERCLASS by Tim Connery at Bridge House Theatre 23 September – 4 October 2025

‘Well written, funny and poignant’ ★★★★

Tim Connery’s play stands out for the quality of writing. It’s very funny but, towards the end of its 75 minute run time, also moving. It’s a good play.

Roger Sutherland (Alex Donald) has had a spectacular acting career – stage, screen and television. But for some reason it has  has hit the buffers and he is reduced to offering masterclasses, based in a primary school, to aspiring actors. Enter Gary Brock (Kurt Lucas), an Australian former child actor whose career has also stalled. And initially they clash badly and hilariously over method acting and disagreement about what an actor actually is. Do you have to “be” the character, or should you just pretend? It’s a very recognisable debate, exaggerated here for comic effect. And I loved the cracks about only being able to get jobs in rooms over pubs where two-handers often outnumber the audience. For the record, and joking apart, there was a very respectable size audience at the Bridge House the night I saw this play.

It isn’t long before we know exactly why the great man is no longer employable. He stumbles, forgets words and constantly repeats himself – except when he launches into a line or two of Shakespeare which he has known all his life. He worries constantly about HMRC, to whom he seems to owe money or thinks he does, and frequently mentions his three ex-wives.  Dementia is clearly setting in and Gary assumes that it’s alcohol related since Sutherland is apparently taking constant swigs of gin and jesting about alcohol being essential fuel for acting. But, gradually, the devastating truth emerges.

Both actors do a strong job, playing adeptly off each other. Connery’s every word is worth hearing and these two make sure, in the easy acoustic of a small black box space that we don’t miss a single syllable – often not the case in larger, flashier venues. Donald brings a mercurial gravitas to Sutherland: imposing and grand one minute but humble, anxious the next. Ultimately he’s frightened and we really feel that.  And Lucas – very brash but ultimately vulnerable – creates a convincing contrast. The coda (no spoilers) is a lovely touch.

MASTERCLASS by Tim Connery at Bridge House Theatre

Directed by Luke Adamson

Bridge House Theatre, Penge

BOX OFFICE https://thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk/shows/masterclass/

Cast

Alex Dee

Roger Sutherland

Kurt Lucas

Gary Brock

Artistic Team

Writer

Tim Connery

Director

Luke Adamson

Lighting Designer

Luke Adamson

Photography

Bridge House Theatre