REVIEW | The White Chip, Southwark Playhouse Borough - London

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Reviewed by Lou

Photo credit: Danny Kaan

Theatre as an art, in my opinion, should aim to change people. You should feel different, or be questioning something the play provoked right from the moment you leave the theatre, and if it’s really good, on the tube all the way home. “The White Chip”, written by Sean Daniels & directed by Matt Ryan definitely did this to me, and I love it for that.

“The White Chip” follows the character of Steven, played by Ed Coleman, as we see his journey with alcoholism all the way from his first sip of booze to his last. The play works as practically a one man show, with Mara Allen & Ashlee Irish supporting Coleman, playing a myriad of characters that are important to Steven’s journey to sobriety. 

The story holds no punches, and although it starts as a fast paced, slapstick comedy, eventually delves into the deep, dark pit that is addiction. Suicide attempts, life changing phone calls, relapses & a LOT of christian politics; is all shown to us. Sean Daniels' writing is witty, dry and also incredibly beautiful. The way the show plays with energy, being upbeat and hilarious in one moment, to tragic and haunting in the next is a fantastic symbol for how drinking and alcoholism is viewed in our society - on the outside, a fun, socialising drink can actually lead to depression, shame and in some cases death. This show really screams that at you, and believe me, it works.

One thing I do want to give a quick shoutout about is the sound design. Designed by Max Pappenheim and mixed on stage by Rosie Morgan, its sharp, loud, unforgiving style supports the production & performances immensely, letting us fall into this pit of addiction with Steven, to be snapped right back out. 

Photo credit: Danny Kaan

All performances are fantastic in this show. Mara Allen & Ashlee Irish do a great job of supporting Coleman through the show, and the amount of characters they have to play is actually quite astonishing, but they handle it with grace, passion and professionalism. A particular portrayal that stuck with me was Allen’s performance of Steven’s Mum, which she performs with depth, heart and a whole lot of emotion - the phone call scene in particular was truly outstanding from her. Sure, I would love maybe a little more differentiation between some of these ensemble characters, but they still uphold the show well.

But this show is really about Coleman, and he absolutely steals the show. He is effortlessly charming and likeable, landing most one liners with ease and immediately getting the audience into the palm of his hand. Coleman whips through the first 30 minutes at lightning speed, quipping and running around the space until we begin to explore his addiction. At this point, Coleman does a fantastic switch, and watching him transform from his former spritely self into an addicted, slower paced man desperate to get his life back on track is heart-breaking. An astonishing performance from Coleman throughout the whole show.

Now the show isn’t perfect. Like I said before, the ensemble characters could do with some more differentiation, and I feel the length could do with a cut - an hour or hour twenty would feel better as the pace was slow in some places. But as I said at the start, Theatre should change people, and sure as hell after the show as I went out that evening, I was conscious of every drink around me, and actually refrained from drinking that whole night. So if that was “The White Chip’s” goal, it definitely succeeded. I raise my glass of non-alcoholic beer to the performers and crew of this fantastic show.

★★★★

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The White Chip plays at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 16th of August

https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-white-chip/

Photo credit: Danny Kaan