Chaos, Comedy, and Contractions: One Last Push at Salisbury Playhouse
One Last Push delivers a riotous evening of laughter, with fantastic farce and cleverly orchestrated chaos.
This brand-new comedy from Broadchurch and Doctor Who writer Chris Chibnall, was written specifically for Salisbury and our award-winning producing theatre. After the success of The Worst Wedding Ever in 2019, BAFTA award-winning writer Chibnall is back with another carefully crafted farce that explores familial relations in a microcosm with a very unavoidable impending deadline! 🤰
Set in the chaotic midst of Jen (Call the Midwife's Laura Main) and Mark's (Sam Alexander last seen in Salisbury in How the Other Half Loves) meticulously planned home birth, the play takes the audience on a whirlwind journey through the unpredictability of life itself. The comedy spirals as a motley crew of mostly unwelcome characters join the party, from Mark’s estranged father to his new 30-year-old girlfriend – Chibnall’s plot has all the makings of a sensationally silly farce. Â
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Alexander, Main, Partridge (L-R) - 📸 Craig Fuller
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Standout performances included Sherry Baines' (last seen in Salisbury in How the Other Half Loves) portrayal of the eccentric Eileen (Jen’s Mum), whose love of a BeReal moment and penchant for communicating through emojis provided plenty of laughs (okay boomer!), and David Partridge's (seen last summer in The Tempest) kooky badger-hunter Paul, whose slapstick antics and strong west-country accent stole the show.
It is a privilege to have a producing theatre in our city, where new work is platformed with pride and each diverse aspect of the production is executed in-house. In this vein, I must congratulate the skill of the production team behind the execution of Simon Kenny’s clever set: full of pitfalls and props perfectly positioned for stellar slapstick, from a slowly deflating birthing pool to a badger-alert system! There were also two digital screens flanking the stage and this modern twist to the production explored the hyper-connectivity of our modern age. While technically impressive, this aspect of the play felt somewhat disconnected from the main narrative, serving more as a flashy gimmick than a meaningful enhancement to the comedy.
One Last Push is an enjoyable romp that offers plenty of laughs and moments of comedic brilliance. The perfect antidote to a rainy and gloomy February, we highly recommend a trip to Salisbury Playhouse for a dose of delightful dramatics and carefully crafted comedy.
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Laura Main - 📸 Craig Fuller
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The world premiere of One Last Push is on at Salisbury Playhouse until 9 March 2024 with tickets from just £13. Â