The White Chip – Southwark Playhouse Borough

Sean Daniels’ semi-autobiographical play ‘The White Chip’ has arrived in London for its UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse Borough. Having enjoyed a successful 2019 stint Off-Broadway, directed by Matt Ryan, and produced by Danielle Tarento and Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford, ‘The White Chip’ is a cleverly constructed play, widely noted for its darkly comic take on painful realities. It chronicles the painful descent and recovery of Steven, a high-functioning alcoholic US theatre director, presented through fast-paced, vignette-driven, and monologue heavy script that, whilst offering insightful clarity to the character’s journey through addiction, at times sacrifices any real depth and dynamic, and as a result this production doesn’t quite land the emotional punch it clearly aims for.

At the heart of the play is Steven (Ed Coleman), a high performer, who is driven and charming, and whose professional success masks a growing dependence on alcohol. Coleman handles the material with energy and skill, tracing Steven’s fall, from college parties to workplace interventions, with undeniable charisma. Alongside him, Mara Allen and Ashlee Irish navigate an ensemble of roles with impressive versatility, often delivering some of the play’s sharpest comedic moments.

Matt Ryan’s direction is tight and pacey, but occasionally too much so. The script shares a lot of information about AA support groups, family interactions and interventions, hospital admissions, flashbacks and fall outs, which all happens very quickly, and is underscored by Max Pappenheim’s sound and lighting effects, creating a distinct sense of disorientation. However, this also creates moments where the script seems to just skip right past the pain rather than let it linger, leaving the audience intellectually stimulated for sure, but somewhat emotionally undernourished. Some moments that are intended to devastate us, are simply observed from afar, as amidst the scene after rapidly changing scene, there is honesty, but never quite a feeling of intimacy and primal connection.

Without doubt, Daniels is a talented writer, and ‘The White Chip’ is an important, timely play, speaking candidly about alcoholism, recovery, and the role of identity in healing. The production is undeniably meaningful, especially in an era where open conversations about addiction are vital, and the support of organisations like Performing Recovery underscores its sincere, community-minded approach. However, for all the good it’s doing offstage, the onstage experience doesn’t always reflect the complexity of the journey it’s based on. While the intentions are powerful and the production values strong, this Southwark Playhouse staging can feel too controlled, too careful. The vulnerability is present, but not always palpable. You’ll leave informed, perhaps moved, but not quite emotionally changed.

‘The White Chip’ runs at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 16^th August, and tickets are available at https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-white-chip

Reviewer: Alan Stuart Malin

Reviewed: 11^th July 2025

North West End UK Rating: