Two school acquaintances meet in the courtyard of a pub, having not seen each other for several years. Their lives have diverged: Heather, is married, childless and prosperously middle-class; Carla is pregnant with her fifth child and definitely working class. They seem to have little in common, and indeed, as their conversation develops, it is clear that they were not exactly friends at school. So why has Heather suggested this meeting? As they circle each other warily we learn more about their backgrounds, and then Heather offers Carla a very large sum of money to undertake an outrageous task for her. Carla is initially resistant, but she needs the money and it is clear that Heather, although not having been in direct contact, has learnt a lot about Carla’s family situation and weaknesses. The scene shifts to Heather’s prosperous living room, where the two plan the details of their collaboration.
In a review it is not possible to say more about the plot. Suffice it to say that there are twists and turns aplenty. Nothing can be taken for granted, and the outcome is always uncertain. It is a gripping piece of drama.
The acting was superb. Cassandra Hercules played Heather as sophisticated and controlled. She was able to change her mood at a whim and gave a mesmerising performance. She was well counter balanced by Serin Ibraham as Carla, completely believable and always mistrusting. The two played off each other extremely well as the power balance between them shifted, and their interaction deepened.
Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s script is tightly drawn and compelling. The director, James Haddrell made some interesting production choices, including, at least in the first part of the play, lighting effects accompanied by the actors repeating lines of dialogue in different positions. This was an effective way of making sure that the audience could see both actors at key points in the dialogue, but perhaps a slightly clumsy way of dealing with the audience being on three sides of the acting area.
The pub setting was simple with four pillars with ashtrays (necessary for Carla’s chain-smoking), which was then very smoothly converted by the cast into Heather’s living room. This had an interesting back wall displaying Heather’s husband’s collection of butterflies and bugs, including a wasp called the “Tarantula Hawk” which not only gives the play its name but is a metaphor for some of motivations driving the action.
This is a first class one hour 40 minutes of drama, and at Southwark Playhouse’s prices must represent the best value theatre in London at the present time.
The Wasp is playing at the Southwark Playhouse Borough until 30th May 2026. Tickets available from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk. In September it will transfer to the Greenwich Theatre.
Reviewer: Paul Ackroyd
Reviewed: 8th May 2026
North West End UK Rating: