REVIEW: POSH @ THE QUESTORS THEATRE

🎭 Posh

📍 The Playhouse, The Questors Theatre, 12 Mattock Lane, Ealing, London, W5 5BQ

🗓 Friday 24th January 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

UNLIKEABLE CHARACTERS, LOVEABLE CAST

Elitism and privilege are at the forefront of POSH at The Questors Theatre which delves into the world of the wealth and arrogance of the exclusive clubs of the richest in society. The play revolves around the ten members of the Riot Club, a fictional version of the Oxford University dining society the Bullingdon Club.

As the club comes together after a brief hiatus, they have to travel to find somewhere that will accept them after previous bad behaviour, and have a room in a country pub to meet. Debauchery soon ensues and this piece is a real commentary on the entitlement of the wealthy and the blamelessness and power that comes to those who can afford to buy their way in or out of any situation.

This was actually quite a hard watch at times and I actually felt angry a lot of the time as I witnessed what was unfolding. The way these students speak about those of a lower class and treat those from that class who are serving them is absolutely diabolical. I kept thinking to myself "these are the kind of people who are running the country", a point actually picked up on in the closing scene of the play.

There is nothing likeable about any of the group as they show an absolute disregard for anyone outside of their bubble and the play delves into the destructive power that these immature students have. Sneaking a prostitute into the room, making sexual suggestions and advances to their waitress, trashing the room and violently abusing the landlord seems like a rite of passage to these boys who somehow know that they will ultimately be free from consequence as those around them will manipulate, lie and throw money at any situation to make it dissapear. With great power comes great protection.

After only two visits one thing I have learned about The Questors Theatre is that the set design is always fantastic. The Playhouse is a reletively large space and the set design by Bron Blake and Roger Brace is absolutely stunning and wondefully frames both the stage and the story.

The main issue with the play for me personally is that the writing is a bit stale because the focus seems to be on calling out these characters and those like them in society, rather than creating a coherant story. Because of this we don't really know anything about the individual characters. All we know is that they are all absolute arseholes who epitomise the greed and complete lack of morals of those who seem detatched from reality.

At 90m minutes, Act 1 felt far too long and I went into the interval feeling like there was nothing else to say and wondering why this piece hadn't been written just as a one act play. Act 2 was stronger than the first, but a lot of the themes and feelings were repeated cementing my feelings that the play just doesn't justify its runtime.

The acting on display was sensational, with not a weak link amongst the cast. I have to give special mentions to James Rushbrooke, Omar Aga, Andrew Rakowski and Harry Miller who all stood out for me. Gary R. Reid's direction filled the stage wonderfully too, so all the elements were there and it is an enjoyable night out but I just wish that Laura Wade's writing had been more succinct and direct.

POSH is running at The Questors Theatre until Saturday 1st February, and supporting theatre like this is fundimental to the industry. CLICK HERE to find out more about the show, to check avaliability and to book tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Posh was gifted by The Questors Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Guy Jack as Guy Bellingfield; Dominic Reed as James Leighton-Masters; Pascal Orzabal as Toby Maitland; Bailey Finch-Robson as George Balfour; Andrew Rakowski as Alistair Ryle; Harry Roebuck as Hugo Fraser-Tyrwhitt; Harry Miller as Harry Villiers; Daniel Thompson as Miles Richards; Omar Aga as Dimitri Mitropoulos; Alex Hunter as Ed Montgomery; Willo Johnston as Jeremy (Guy's Godfather); James Rushbrooke as Chris (landlord of The Bull's Head); Ruby Barry as Rachel (Chris' daughter); Tilly Benson-Reid as Charlie (an escort)

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 25 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Bad language; Violence; Sexual intimidation