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A Most Pressing Issue

 
Isabella Thompson Review by Isabella Thompson 4 Published: 11 Aug 2025 theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall Show Dates: 11 Aug 2025-16 Aug 2025

Written by Tim Harris and directed by Jordan Lewis, A Most Pressing Issue is a farcical comedy set in a single office amid a raging prison fire, following four hopelessly inept prison workers who confront catastrophe with anything but sense. Rich in absurdist humour and tinged with existential threat, the show builds to a satisfying conclusion where the hysterical illuminates the historical.

Rich in absurdist humour and tinged with existential threat

Harris shines as Ward Preston, the fervent yet slippery “head honcho”, evoking a Harry Enfield-esque caricature with bizarre facial contortions and impeccable comic timing. Matt Williams’ Orly, Preston’s loyal sidekick, is both endearing and ludicrous, displaying a flair for physical comedy. Their double act thrives on mutual folly, each amplifying the other’s absurdity. Natasha Mula’s Celeste, the lone sensible intern and only female character, acts as the voice of reason – though even she cannot withstand Preston and Orly’s chaos. Her role takes on greater weight towards the end, offering philosophical grounding that deepens the play’s impact. James de Burca’s Sergeant is another inspired addition, initially promising salvation before revealing himself to be just as inept. Together, these 'fools' bring distinct comic textures to the text, their interplay honed by Lewis’ sharp, astute direction. Greater earnestness in characterisation and less self-aware performativity could elevate the work even further.

The humour is deliciously dry and absurd, especially when laced with deliberate winks to the audience. The script employs classic absurdist devices – most notably the ever-present existential threat just beyond the stage (the fire) – to skewer our deeply human tendency to dodge serious problems by losing ourselves in trivialities. The central metaphor is compelling, and Harris sustains momentum while deepening the thematic threads. One philosophical monologue from Orly, however, breaking character, feels heavy-handed; elsewhere, the writing trusts the audience to find the message within the madness, which is far more effective. While some beats feel familiar, the cast’s commitment invigorates the performance.

A Most Pressing Issue is witty, tightly crafted, and in Harris’ own words, “too busy to be boring”. A sharply funny dissection of incompetence and denial, this is an absurdist gem well worth catching.

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The Blurb:

A dark satirical comedy that follows four prison workers battling a fire with anything but water. As characters wrestle with existential crises, heartbreak and bureaucracy, an inevitable doom draws ever nearer, forcing this band of misfits to confront their long-forgotten responsibilities. Prepare for full speed, uninterrupted chaos from start to finish as Gaulier-trained clowns and sharp-edged comedians deliver a relentlessly funny tale of love, loss, fear and arrogance. This exciting piece of new writing is eager to push boundaries, electrify audiences and most importantly, make you laugh out loud.