REVIEW: The Whisper Comes Before The Plant at The Hen & Chickens Theatre 13 – 16 August 2026

‘tackles some important themes with sensitivity and humour’ ★★★

The obscurely named The Whisper Comes Before The Plant is a flat share dramedy about a young woman in an abusive relationship with her inner voice.

Writer and performer Nia Braidford leads the cast as Faith, a relentlessly uptight 20-something looking for a lodger. Enter Timmy, with the aforementioned pot plant. He is sweary, outgoing, frequently shirtless and, Australian. In a hugely likeable performance from Louis Walwyn, his superhuman tolerance and compassion prove to be a much-needed antidote to Faith, who is gloomy in the extreme. But you can hardly blame her for that when she is haunted by a physical embodiment of some dark corner of her own psyche or past, who spouts a torrent of demands and abuse.

As The Whisper, Sonny Pilgrem lends his resonant voice to a role strictly limited to a narrow range of emotion, and indeed, lines. Still, he cuts an imposing figure with a strong presence and suitably ghoulish air. The Whisper’s dynamic with Faith is a compelling idea and a rich opportunity for nuance and depth. Their relationship is the cornerstone of the story, and its development represents Faith’s character arc. However, that development rests entirely on Faith’s responses to The Whisper, while his lines remain repetitive and one-note. The plot also leaves something to be desired. There is a well-conceived and dramatic climax, but too much of the story is interpersonal and introspective, rather than arising out of any real action.

Technical operator Iqbal Garewal makes fair use of the simple lighting equipment on offer to add dimension and colour to the serviceable set, and the sound design is atmospheric. The two elements come together in a montage-style transition in which a few weeks pass by in flashes. This standout sequence shows thoughtful work from debut director Wesley Bozonga. It is a brief foray into non-naturalism which I would have loved to see taken further, much like the part of The Whisper.

The Whisper Comes Before The Plant tackles some important themes with sensitivity and humour, and showcases promising creatives. With an hour to spend on live theatre in a fringe setting, you could certainly do a lot worse.

The Whisper Comes Before The Plant by Nia Braidford, directed by Wesley Walwyn at The Hen & Chickens Theatre 13 – 16 August 2026

Part of Camden Fringe

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