In Ollie Maddigan’s The Olive Boy, he tells us how his mum used to compare him to the stoned fruit not only because he was born with a condition where his skin looked green, but because he is “pure and sweet”. Of course, Maddigan thinks this is “bullshit” — everyone knows olives are bitter and too salty.
This story feels like the perfect way to summarise Maddigan’s solo show, now playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough. In his portrayal of his 15-year-old self, over 70 minutes we see classic teenage delusions, selfishness and crassness slowly melt away to reveal a truly sweet heart at the centre of this very funny show about love and grief.
As the sole performer on stage, with nothing more than a chair for a set piece, Maddigan is an absolute firecracker who immediately has the audience in the palm of his hand. He’s a natural born storyteller, and the way he switches between accents and physicalities to bring the other characters to life is a total delight. Director Scott Le Crass keeps the performance tight and slick while giving Maddigan’s story space to breathe, and Adam Jefferys’s lighting design punctuates while never distracting.
As Maddigan takes us through the period following his mum’s death, we see glimmers of his grief start to emerge between his laddish jokes and desire to be popular in his new school. This slowly builds throughout the piece to a conclusion that immediately brought tears to my eyes — and, judging by the sounds of sniffles around me, I wasn’t the only one.
It’s rare to find a show that can make you belly laugh one moment and sob the next, but The Olive Boy does just that and more. Maddigan’s writing, performing, and brutal honesty in this piece prove he’s certainly one to watch.
The Olive Boy plays at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 31st January. Tickets are available at: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Reviewer: Olivia Cox
Reviewed: 16th January 2025
North West End UK Rating: