REVIEW: Midnight in Nashville by Lee Papa at The Glitch 26 August - 7 September

Monica Yell • 27 August 2026

“Delivers on atmosphere in spades” ★★★

Meet Marcey, a country superstar who was arrested for manslaughter during her heyday. Twenty years later, she is fresh out of prison and recording a new album with young producer Colleen. Over the course of a single night in the studio, Marcey works through a handful of songs and unpacks aspects of her past. It is a strong premise, and the play delivers on atmosphere in spades.

Lee Papa’s writing is intensely evocative of the milieu and Agathe Williamson’s set design is detailed and textured. These elements, combined with a masterstroke of a stage configuration at The Glitch, make the play an enjoyably immersive experience. Papa has crafted a very tightly controlled reveal of information, with tidbits about Marcey's life sprinkled across the 75-minute running time and culminating in a satisfying twist. The downside of this is that the audience and characters can only grapple with the full impact of the drama in the final moments.

The two performances are both natural and sympathetic. In Biz Lyon's capable hands, the titular Marcey is gentle and reflective. The anecdotes from her life become windows into her soul, and her singing voice is full of authenticity and emotion. Meanwhile, as Colleen, Catherine Mieses listens. Sometimes she offers feedback or direction on the music. Occasionally there is a witty riposte or a personal question. But there is also a lot of listening. When there is eventually some conflict between the two characters, Mieses reveals a simmering underbelly of emotion. The subtlety of her performance suits the intimacy of the small space beautifully, but her character deserves more from the script than the brief flare of feeling and expression she is granted at the end.

The music includes a traditional folk song and a nicely judged cover of Kris Kristofferson’s Why Me. There are also three original songs written variously by Kevin Buchmeier, Jeremy Watson, and Lyon. All of them are acoustic, mostly played live by Lyon on the piano. They strike a mild and melancholy note which made me long for a drum beat, electric guitar, or fiddle, all of which feature tantalisingly in the snatches of music between scenes. Janhavi Shivalkar’s compelling sound design is a welcome break from the heavy atmosphere elsewhere.

Midnight in Nashville is undoubtedly accomplished and filled with successful elements, but it wilts under the weight of its own poignancy and promises much more drama than it delivers.

Midnight in Nashville is at The Glitch 26 August - 7 September 2026.

Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/vaultcreativearts/2149705

Cast:

Biz Lyon as Marcy

Catherine Mieses as Colleen

Creative Team:

Writer - Lee Papa

Director - Alex Stroming

Lighting and Sound Designer - Janhavi Shivalkar

Set Design - Agathe Williamson

Marketing Consultant - Holly Adomah

Facebook: Midnight in Nashville