Between the sharp wit and the mounting mystery, this is one story you won’t want to put down.
In The Sequel, written by Lucas Closs and directed by Imy Wyatt Corner, a successful author named Grace returns to the sleepy seaside town that inspired her hit debut novel nearly a decade earlier. What starts as a simple homecoming quickly shifts into something much more unpredictable. Playing out at the King’s Head Theatre, the show is a sharp, atmospheric blend of mystery and dark comedy that keeps the audience perched on the edge of their seats.
The production is anchored by two powerhouse performances that play off one another brilliantly. Nisha Emich brings a grounded, weary sophistication to Grace, capturing the internal conflict of a writer haunted by her own past success. She provides the perfect foil for Julia Pilkington, who portrays Martha, the quirky and eerily familiar new owner of the cafe where Grace penned her masterpiece. Pilkington is the show’s undeniable comic heart. Her timing is impeccable, and her delivery of the single-word line “Idolatry” was handled with such dry precision that it bordered on comic perfection.
The show occupies an interesting, unique tonal space that challenges the audience from the outset. It utilizes a style of partially absurd comedy laced with a persistent sense of menace, which is a combination that takes a little while to fully settle into. However, once you become accustomed to the heightened reality of the world Closs has built, the experience becomes immensely rewarding. The writing is sublime, taking the audience on a narrative rollercoaster where just as you feel you’ve grasped the direction of the plot, the script suddenly veers into something entirely unexpected. This is aided by razor sharp witty dialogue, yet it never sacrifices the play’s mounting tension for a cheap laugh.
The atmosphere is significantly bolstered by the inclusion of live music, a clever addition that sets this production apart. Composed by Deniz Dortok and performed by Dortok and Lydia Cochrane, the score immerses the audience in the town’s unsettling environment. The music expertly heightens the more mystical or eerie beats of the narrative, ensuring the tension never truly dissipates. Even the set design by Peiyao Wang works in harmony with the story’s themes. Despite having to contend with the ink-stained backdrop and flooring from the theatre’s other show that is currently running, In The Press, the design feels purposeful and effectively frames the unfolding drama.
While there were moments that felt slightly under-rehearsed, notably a few line fumbles and some unintentional pauses that disrupted the otherwise tight rhythm, these are minor quibbles in what is an otherwise very entertaining show. Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of The Sequel is its refusal to spoon-feed the viewer. It doesn’t provide every answer, instead allowing you to leave the theatre with a head full of theories and possible explanations. It is an accomplished, well-written, and wonderfully performed piece of theatre that proves some stories are well worth revisiting.
The Sequel is playing at the King’s Head Theatre from Saturday 25 April – Saturday 2 May.