Player – Riverside Studios

Actors like nothing more than talking about themselves and their profession, and this wonderful little play at Riverside Studios, written by Matthew Lyon, is an ode to the joys but mainly pains of trying to make a career in the theatre. It is almost all written in rhyming couplets in a faux Shakespearean style, which makes it a delight to listen to. 

Lyon himself plays the actor struggling through the various stages of life in the theatre from initial stirrings of interest at school and home, not always encouraged, through the agony of endless auditions until at last reaching the zenith of actually having a script for the part of “seventh spear carrier on the left”. Ola Forman plays all the other parts through an extraordinary kaleidoscope of characters and a wide range of accents, turning from one to another on a pin, with little than a few items of clothing to help the transitions. It was a fascinating performance to watch. I think my favourite was her portrayal as the bespectacled, condescending principal of the drama school, addressing her students on their first day. I did also very much enjoy the endless Oscar thank you speech, delivered in episodes throughout the performance, thanking everyone including God and her rehabilitation clinic and in the end, having to be dragged off the stage.  

The setting is simple: a few chairs and a table, serving variously as a job centre, and an interview space for unpleasant film directors. 

Player runs for only 70 minutes and is a delight. If you want a light-hearted evening at the theatre do go and see it.  It is cleverly written, very funny and contains more than a few home truths. 

Player is showing at the Riverside Studios until 31st May. Tickets are available from www.riversidestudios.co.uk and if you want to know more about productions by this talented team go to nopicturesplease.co.uk  

Reviewer: Paul Ackroyd

Reviewed 14th May 2026

Nort West End UK Rating: