Well Played

My first time attending the Fringe. As I got into the city I realised I had no idea where my friends play was being performed and in walking around the city trying to find out where to go, I was handed a leaflet by two actors for a play called WELL PLAYED.

I had enough time before my friends play started (I did eventually find the venue) so I retraced my steps and went to watch the play knowing nothing about it and nobody in it… WHAT A PRODUCTION!

So impressed by all eight actors involved, each of them bringing such a unique charm, enthusiasm, skill set and believability to their respective roles.

An incredibly immersive piece (this was my first time experiencing a theatre in the round) and very minimalistic stage production that really worked well within the context of the piece and was effectively utilised into a powerful scene change that I’m still thinking about days later.

But for me the real star of the show was without a doubt the script. Really itched a lot of my interests and was always incredibly engaging and funny whilst also making time for and genuinely earning its more serious moments. As a wannabe/ amateur writer the biggest compliment I can give is that I’m annoyed I didn’t think of this storyline first. Writer Josie Rose Embleton is one to watch.

My only complaint is that I would love to have had a program of the cast at hand, just so I could pinpoint and praise the talented individuals in more detail. As it is, everyone was great with special credit going to actor who played the walk on part of the police officer near the end showcasing that there is no such thing as a small part, just a small performance. I’m sure everyone involved in this production will go far.

I had no expectations for this production and I was utterly floored by what I saw. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the world of the Fringe.

Absolutely loved the performance from all the cast, Storyline grips you from the start, Perfectly written with hilarious dialogue performed to perfection the ending was so unexpected!
Loved Pixie (Real life daughter) Richard was brilliantly funny

Absolutely one of my favourite shows I’ve seen! So many twists and such an unexpected ending - so well written and amazingly performed! I was laughing out loud throughout - I’d watch it again!! The cast did amazing, Pixie and Richard were absolutely hilarious - well done everyone!

Such a fun show with a great cast! Definitely worth getting up early to catch this one, the cast were clearly having fun on stage and it was infectious for the audience. Highly recommend checking this show out before the end of the fringe!

A fantastic show to start your day. With its high stakes, fast pace, well crafted script, the ensemble of stellar actors brought their A game, working off each other amazingly and it kept me engaged and laughing from start to finish. Would thoroughly recommend this play!

I've been interested in this show for a long time- and it blew me away way beyond my expectations!
The plot is completley absurd and the twists keep coming and inject an amazing pace, which the talented cast keep up with every step of the way. Everybody embodies their character so well, I just wish we got more time with each of them as every performance is a blast.
The script is very funny and tightly written- I am astounded how many hilarious gags, one-liners and running jokes were squeezed into a 55 minutes that will fly by! Within this time slot however, the plot is anchored and brought back down to reality by the heart of the play- the relationship between the two leads. The genuine affection and raw emotion in these segments really gives the play time to breathe, and its hard not to be invested. I could go on for paragraphs, but the writer should be incredibly chuffed if they're not already.
Every member of the cast is incredible- and its hard to sign their praises without spoiling- so go see it! A general comment is that the accent work from everyone is INCREDIBLE. I was genuinley quite shocked when I heard some of them speak outside that I wasn't in New York!
Tom Catton is hilarious and intimidating as Charlie Ragnor, and equally as slimey is Jordan Monks whose performance really kicks the play into another gear. He is threatening, hilarious and shifty all at the same time. Dylan Baxendale takes a character who would be easy to get wrong and gets it so, so right! Perfect comic relief with real heart too. Francesca Carter really sells the wide eyed wonder of someone wanting to make it in show-business, and her performance is loaded with intrigue. Jorgie Buchan as Pixie is another highlight- she had the audience roaring with laughter whilst also somehow managing to be a voice of reason. Her character has a LOT to do and she does every part brilliantly. Lev Siegel does what they do best- taking their material to a new level. They embody their characters unlike anyone I know, and their mastery of character-acting is evident even in their short-scenes here. Sam McMeikan plays a much different character to the rest and at times (for plot reasons I won't spoil) has to be straight man of the cast-but he has the chops to provide a grounded, complex and genuinley touching portrayal of a man at his wits end.
Josie Rose Embleton is both the lead and writer. I have no idea how she managed to balance both and get both so right! I've already waxed lyrical about the script, but Josie also is the glue that holds the whole cast together. With a sincere, sweet portrayal of August, the audience really buy the stakes in keeping the show going on. For what I believe is her first original show (?!?)- the Fringe will definetly be seeing more of her I'm sure.
The play takes what could be a standard set-change right before the climax and decides to make it a choreographed showpiece. It goes unneccesarily hard, perfectly matches the growing tension in the play and objectively slaps. The director Clare should take a bow!
I didn't mean to keep writing this long, but it turns out I liked it even more than I thought I did! The plot follows a threatre-group putting themselves through hell to pursue a labour-of-love. That genuine passion shines through, and this show feels like a labour of love that really delivers. In the time it took you to read this, you could have already bought your ticket! Definetly worth getting up in the morning for.

A delightful little farce where one lie stacks on top of another like a house of cards built upon the foundation of yet another more precarious house of cards. The actors zip through snappy dialogue, never so much as skipping a beat with each member of the ensemble providing a unique and engaging element to the overall production.
Also features one of my favourite set changing sequences I've seen at a fringe show. Highly recommended!

A free morning - a play near our hotel - what a pleasant surprise! Well written and acted. Thoroughly enjoyable.

What a fab show!! Genuinely one of my favourite things I’ve seen at Fringe this year. It is the perfect blend of comedy and drama, with lots of hilarious moments and electric energy from the very talented cast. The writing itself is so clever and engaging, and I became invested in the characters very quickly! The setting, the story, the acting, the twists and the amazing direction all combine to create a beautiful hurricane of a show. Well played indeed!!

Wonderful show ! It's a really funny and emotional show played by really talented actors !!!

What can I say about this wonderful show that encapsulates everything that’s great about the fringe, funny well written new comedy farce with a fantastic twist at the end, delivered by a really talented and enthusiastic cast, wonderfully written and directed. Well done all involved. Highly recommend seeing this show.

Such a fun show, lots of laughs, great twist at the end - a must see. Superb performances from a very strong cast. Very ‘Well Played’!

What a show!! Hilarious and dramatic and the premise hooks you from the very start, a fantastic cast and direction helps bring this wonderful and silly piece to life. It’s only doing a short run so go and catch it while you can!!!!

Very funny and surprisingly emotive with an exciting and unexpected twist. Talented and dynamic cast