Wonderscape is part of the annual Camden Fringe Festival which presents an eclectic array of performances at 40 venues around Camden. Running throughout August, the Festival showcases new talent in theatre, dance and music. Roxanne Barron is making her debut as writer and director of this piece about creativity, ambition and the destructive influence of the pursuit of fame and fortune.
Finley (Conrad O’Callaghan), brilliant but manically spiralling inventor is sharing a home with Emma (El. X Speciali) and Jake (Jack Torres). Emma and Jake do not appreciate the chaos Finley brings to their lives, with his inventions strewn all over the place as he rushes around spewing ideas and thoughts like dust mites. He believes his genius will enable him to make a world-shattering invention – and he does. His device to read thoughts and transmit them to a laptop sparks Jake to switch from desperately wanting Finley to leave, to working with him to monetise the invention, believing they could make their fortunes. As Jake envisages pound signs, and Finley’s ego and arrogance go off the charts, only Darcy (Grace Eltringham), the marine biologist neighbour with a penchant for newts, raises doubts about the wisdom of releasing the invention to the world and the danger and unintended consequences it could provoke.
The energy and exuberance of the cast cannot be faulted; it’s a talented ensemble who bring credibility to their characters. However, it’s all played larger-than-life with performances turned up to 11 throughout when there’s scope for more nuance to emphasise the important themes of the play. Barron is an exciting new writer and director with an interesting take on how pursuing greatness can overtake someone’s humanity and she will undoubtedly have more to bring to the theatre. As for Wonderscape, it’s certainly a good time to remind people that just because something can be invented, doesn’t mean that it should.
Wonderscape will play at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 22nd and 23rd August. Tickets for this show and all Camden Fringe Festival performances are on sale at: https://camdenfringe.com/
Reviewer: Carole Gordon
Reviewed: 11th August 2025
North West End UK Rating: