RON – Riverside Studios

RON is one of those rare productions that refuses to stay in a single genre and is all the better for it. What begins as something familiar, a stand-up comedy act, quickly spirals into an increasingly surreal, dark comedy that constantly keeps its audience guessing. Every time you think you’ve understood where the story is heading, it gleefully pulls the rug from beneath you and quite literally lifts the curtain on a wildly inventive theatrical experience.

The direction (Ted Walliker and Lev Govorovski) is razor sharp, maintaining an impressive pace while allowing every twist to land with maximum impact. There is a real confidence behind the production, balancing absurd comedy with moments of genuine unease without ever feeling forced. It is an ambitious piece that could easily have collapsed under the weight of its own crazy ideas, but instead it remains remarkably focused from beginning to end.

The solo performance from Ted Walliker is nothing short of extraordinary. His exhausting energy never drops for a moment, with seamless transitions between humour, vulnerability and menace. This is a masterclass on physical theatre, and it is truly captivating to watch an actor command the stage so completely, drawing the audience into an increasingly bizarre world while ensuring every emotional beat remains entirely believable. He tells us this is a true story, and honestly it is hard to think otherwise.

What impresses the most is the intelligence of the writing from Walliker. Beneath the laughs and the shock, lies a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of obsession, queer longing and the darker corners of human connection, showing that we literally will do anything to please the ones we love. The script constantly rewards the audience for paying attention, with seemingly throwaway moments returning in clever and unexpected ways.

RON is gloriously dark, unapologetically original and executed with enormous skill. It demonstrates exactly what fringe theatre can achieve when bold writing, inventive direction and fearless performance come together. It is thrilling, unsettling and consistently entertaining, leaving the audience laughing one moment and quietly reflecting the next. An exceptional piece of theatre that deserves to find a wide audience.

RON runs at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith until 5^th July. Tickets are available at https://riversidestudios.co.uk/whats-on

Reviewer: Alan Stuart Malin

Reviewed: 16^th June 2026

North West End UK Rating: