There’s nothing quite like a trip to the theatre to explore the messiness of human relationships, and Just Be a Good Person, Actually, playing at the newly refurbished Circle and Star Theatre above the Horseshoe pub in Hampstead, certainly has plenty to say about love, infidelity and the consequences of our choices. Set against the surreal backdrop of the afterlife, this dark comedy has some genuinely funny moments, even if it doesn’t quite hit all the right notes.

Written by and starring Julia Pagett, the play follows married couple Lucas (Andrew Hollingworth) and Felicity (Pagett) on the last day of their lives. Their relationship offers an interesting glimpse into how resentment can build between two people when life does not turn out as they had hoped. There is plenty of bitterness bubbling beneath the surface, making their exchanges both uncomfortable and, at times, amusingly familiar.

However, the storytelling is a little tricky to get to grips with. Jumping between ‘before’ and ‘after’, the narrative can feel rather fragmented, particularly during the first half. Although things eventually fall into place by the end, it takes a fair amount of concentration to work out exactly what is happening.

Some of the storylines also feel as though they could do with a little more attention. A baby appears to be a source of tension between the couple, but this potentially important detail is never fully explored. Likewise, their affairs and the gradual breakdown of their relationship leave a few unanswered questions. A little more background would have helped us understand the characters and feel more invested in their fate.

Thankfully, there’s plenty to enjoy along the way. Felicity’s wonderfully deadpan put-downs are a particular highlight, delivering some of the production’s biggest laughs. The staging is also surprisingly inventive. A simple trolley transforms into everything from a bus stop to a reception desk, while two chairs become the front seats of a car as Lucas drives home drunk and angry. It’s clever, economical theatre that makes excellent use of the space.

All four actors deliver strong performances, with Natasha Mula and Joshua Glenister particularly impressive as they switch between obnoxious, drunken friends and bickering employees in the afterlife with small changes in their accents and body language. Even death, it seems, offers no escape from paperwork and appointments. The play hilariously captures the frustration of dealing with the worst doctor’s receptionist imaginable, making it all too familiar for anyone who has ever battled with an inefficient front desk.

Just Be a Good Person, Actually is a production with plenty of promise and much to enjoy and flashes of real comic brilliance.

A quirky, darkly humorous theatrical experience with plenty of promise, but one that could benefit from a little more clarity and depth.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

Three and a half Stars.

Cast and Creatives

Julia Pagett Writer and Felicity

Andrew Hollingworth Director and Lucas

Natasha Mula

Joshua Glenister