Jonathan Tolins’ Buyer and Cellar at the King’s Head Theatre brings an unusual premise to life – the fictional account of an out-of-work actor, Alex More, who is hired to work in Barbra Streisand’s private underground shopping mall. It’s a quirky set-up with potential, and while Rob Madge brings a great deal of energy and humour to the role, the material itself feels stretched thin, making it difficult to sustain interest throughout the production.
Madge, as Alex, juggles multiple characters with ease, from the eager-to-please actor to the enigmatic Barbra herself. Their comedic timing is sharp, and they manage to wring humour out of the more absurd situations Alex finds himself in. However, as the play progresses, the novelty begins to wear off, and the script doesn’t quite evolve enough to maintain the initial momentum.
The quirky concept of working in Barbra Streisand’s private mall delivers laughs, but struggles to sustain interest over time.
While the humour largely stems from the absurdity of the situation – a whole underground shopping mall for Streisand – the narrative lacks the substance needed to fully captivate. The play relies heavily on Barbra’s eccentricities and the comedic scenarios Alex faces, but without a stronger emotional arc, the story begins to feel repetitive.
One of the more significant drawbacks is the play’s pacing. The energy from the initial set-up quickly falters as the show progresses, with scenes that feel overly drawn out and lacking in variety. Although Madge’s performance brings much-needed liveliness to these slower moments, the script could benefit from tighter, more focused writing to avoid the lulls in engagement.
The intimate setting of the King’s Head Theatre works well for this production, allowing the audience to feel like part of Alex’s strange world. However, the minimalist staging, while fitting for the space, doesn’t offer much in the way of visual variety, making it difficult to distract from the script’s more one-note aspects.
Final Thoughts ★★★
Would I recommend Buyer and Cellar? It’s a charming and humorous show that offers light entertainment, but it doesn’t quite live up to the potential of its clever concept. Rob Madge’s performance is the highlight, but the material lacks the depth to sustain the full runtime. While fans of Barbra Streisand or those who enjoy quirky celebrity satire may find it enjoyable, others might feel that the play falls short of delivering on its unique premise.
Playing at the King’s Head Theatre, until 19 October 2024.
Disclaimer: A complimentary ticket was provided in return for an honest and unbiased review.
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