REVIEW: THE SEA HORSE by Edward J.Moore at Golden Goose Theatre 4 – 15 November 2025

‘a complex love story with psychological depth’ ★★★★★

Currently, the Golden Goose premises has three bars. Two outside the theatre and one inside. The title of Edward J Moore’s play, THE SEA HORSE, is the name of a waterfront bar.  The set is so reminiscent of beach bars in California (and just as easily in Cornwall), that it’s tempting to sit on a bar stool and order a whiskey. This carefully constructed set is the backdrop to a story about a weathered sea man and the woman who owns the bar, that was once owned by her daddy.

Gertrude and Harry are in love with each other but past traumas make trust difficult.   In a relationship that has been built on sexual pleasure, shifting into commitment requires them to be honest with each other and brutal truths are forced out into the open. It's a great premise for a play with plenty of inner and outer conflict, the psychological wounds are painfully teased into the open. 

Harry’s passion for sea faring rings true and adds a wonderful sense of milieu. It’s a hard life for the locals and this shows in the poverty, the dilapidated state of the bar and the crudeness and cruelty of some of the men who frequent it. Harry is prepared to help repair the roof and help maintain the bar but what he really wants is to take Gertrude away from this dark place and to make a fresh start.

One of the most valued aspects of the play is the body positivity that it ultimately portrays, considering Gertrude’s self-image is so low, the eventual acceptance is a pleasure to watch.   The actors are exceptional, and thanks to intimacy direction from Candace Leung, their love affair is portrayed candidly with a sense of real desire, without ever becoming over explicit. 

Rachael Ballis has wonderful depth of character as Gertrude, clever, feisty, defensive but with a sense of much to give. Jay Rincon as Harry inhabits a happy go lucky, passionate man who has fallen deeply in love.  It’s a two hander which drip feeds information to the audience which gradually reveals the truth behind of the traumas, the strength of one man’s love for a woman which eventually leads to the tiniest hope of healing.

The play was first performed in New York in 1974. This production later won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Playwright.  It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity to see it here in London. With such  exceptional stage craft and acting, it is a show, not to be missed.

THE SEA HORSE by Edward J.Moore at Golden Goose Theatre 4 – 15 November 2025

Directed by Mandi Riggi

Golden Goose Theatre,

146 Camberwell New Rd, London SE5 0RR

4 - 15 November 2025

BOX OFFICE https://www.goldengoosetheatre.co.uk/whatson/theseahorse

Cast: Rachael Bellis and Jay Rincon

Intimacy Director & Consulting Producer: Candace Leung

Producers: Mark Cheng & Vicky MacRae

Set & Costume Designer: Shahaf Beer

Sound Designer: Danny Taggart

Lighting Designer & Stage Manager: Flick Hemming

Photography: Jess Blake