Invisible Me, written by Bren Gosling and directed by Scott Le Crass, arrived at the Little at Southwark Playhouse, offering genuine pleasure, even from the perspective of a younger audience member. However, the production occasionally felt unchallenging.
Invisible Me tells the story of Lynn, Alec, and Jack as they approach their 60th birthdays. The play explores how, at this milestone, the characters confront their life choices, their regrets and achievements, and strive to rekindle the spark in their lives. Gosling’s narrative suggests that reigniting passion requires effort, daring, and perhaps the presence of an audience.
The show has a steady cast: Alec, played by Kevin G. Golding, is effortlessly charismatic; Jack, portrayed by Jack Holmes, delivers natural humour; and Lynn, brought to life by Tessa Peake-Jones, exudes warmth and approachability. Together, these three actors create a compelling environment framed by Gosling’s words. While the production takes some time to find its rhythm, the opening feels tentative and somewhat underpowered, it soon gains momentum, carrying the audience along with its growing energy.
For much of the performance, the characters remain isolated from one another, a choice that heightens dramatic tension and makes their eventual interactions more impactful. While the format of three interwoven monologues can feel repetitive and occasionally exhausting, the well-calibrated performances keep the audience engaged. Rapid lighting changes and overlapping storylines add to the sense of momentum, though they sometimes contribute to a feeling of fatigue.
At times, the production feels like listening to an internal monologue, with certain themes and ideas repeated more than necessary. The true theatrical magic, the moments of genuine drama between characters on stage, occur too infrequently.
Le Crass’s direction is refreshingly minimalist, employing few props and no scene changes. For a text-heavy production, this simplicity is effective, keeping the focus squarely on the inner lives of these three mature characters.
Gosling’s writing is witty, humorous, and engaging, consistently challenging the actors to remain dynamic and alert. However, the play tends to shy away from deeper explorations of the heart, relying instead on lighter themes such as sex, desire, and the world of dating apps. While these elements are part of the human experience, the production could have benefited from a more profound emotional investigation. If such an investigation were taking place, I did not see it.
Invisible Me touches on themes of ageing, loss of desirability, and the fear of becoming invisible. Ultimately, the play suggests that through friendship, courage, and defining one’s own terms, it is possible to overcome the loneliness of invisibility and perhaps, with a little disco dancing, to rediscover the joy of being seen.
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