How do you live a life as beautiful as the one that’s in your head? This is the question facing the characters of Dale Robertson’s one act play. Described as a ‘dramedy for today’s generation’, it is a commentary on navigating the modern world told through the eyes of two friends, Alex and Petunia, both broke and in their 30s.
As the audience enters, Alex (Dale Robertson) is already on stage, lying on a low bed, pouting and scribbling in a notebook. Clothes are strewn around the room, partly a result of his latest sexual encounter with not-quite-boyfriend Tom (Rowland Stirling) and partly because this is his lifestyle – chaotic, messy bohemian. He’s an out of work actor and writer who can only afford one meal a day (but has enough for alcohol and drugs when he wants them). He’s living in an abandoned theatre as its caretaker. His dressing table and mirror have clearly been borrowed from an actor’s dressing room, and the remaining decor is made up of lamps, classical paintings and a large trunk where the rest of his clothes are stored. The one room set is an effective backdrop for Alex’s life. When his friend Petunia (Olive McHugh) arrives with her own whirlwind of problems, it precipitates a funny and philosophical examination of the state their lives are in.
From the start, the energy is high. These characters live life as fully as they can, although it’s far from plain sailing. Questions around sexuality, finances, relationships and identity in today’s society are frequently discussed, and radio news bulletins that Alex listens to punctuate the play with reminders of the cost of living crisis and changes to immigration laws. Underlying it all is the question of what it means to be a millennial.
Olive McHugh as Petunia is a joy to watch, with great comic timing and physicality, and seemingly effortless embodiment of the character down to the Made in Chelsea accent.
Rowland Stirling has a more minor part, but his strong stage presence helps to make him a memorable part of the show. Dale Robertson is the weakest of the three, with some of his lines not quite landing, although he still does a good job as a foil for Petunia’s particular brand of chaos.
Dale Robertson has written and directed an interesting and entertaining piece of theatre. There are a few tropes that can be forgiven – the plot twist is easy to see coming and when Alex pours his heart out to his friend, she has fallen asleep. Aside from that, it is an enjoyable show with some great laugh-out-loud moments and some beautifully touching lines.
The show runs until the 7th of December at Camden’s Etcetera Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.etceteratheatrecamden.com/events
Reviewer: Charlotte Mansfield
Reviewed: 2nd December 2025
North West End UK Rating:
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