Some theatre offers an escape. Sisyphean Quick Fix leans into the chaos, dragging us headfirst into the absurdities of modern life, where burnout is inevitable, bureaucracy is a maze with no exit, and ‘quick fixes’ only make things worse. Running at Riverside Studios, this production delivers a sharp, self-aware satire with a surprising emotional punch. It’s smart, funny, and unsettling in all the right ways.
Krista (Bettina Paris) is an actor stuck between auditions and bartending shifts in London. Pip (Tina Rizzo) is newly engaged, living in Malta, seemingly settled. They’re sisters, close enough that even an ocean between them can’t sever their bond. On the surface, their lives appear steady, but beneath it all, there’s a weight they’ve carried since childhood – Paps always loved a drink. Some things are easier to ignore than to fix.
A darkly funny, unsettlingly relatable ride through the endless loop of trying to hold it all together
The play leans into its title, evoking the myth of Sisyphus – condemned to push a boulder up a hill forever – and applies it to the daily struggles we all pretend to manage. The characters are trapped in cycles of frustration, trying to fix problems that won’t be solved, pushing forward only to land back where they started. The writing is razor-sharp, balancing biting humour with moments of quiet devastation, ensuring the absurd never drowns out the heart of the story.
The cast is electric. Paris and Rizzo have a natural, lived-in chemistry that makes their sisterly bond entirely believable. Their dynamic is rich with warmth, resentment, unspoken truths, and the kind of shorthand that comes from years of shared history. The ensemble supports them brilliantly, each playing into the production’s satirical edge without losing the human element. The result is theatre that feels both larger than life and painfully real.
Visually, the production embraces its themes of repetition and entrapment. Set pieces shift and recycle, trapping the characters in spaces that feel different but never really change. The direction keeps things dynamic, ensuring even moments of stillness are thick with tension. Lighting and sound design add to the play’s off-kilter energy, making everything feel slightly surreal, as if reality itself is slipping through the cracks.
Final Thoughts ★★★★
Would I recommend Sisyphean Quick Fix? Absolutely. It’s a reminder that life’s struggles don’t come with easy solutions, no matter how hard we try to patch them up. But in the mess, there’s laughter, resilience, and moments of connection that make the climb worthwhile. It doesn’t offer a neat resolution – just like life – but it’s an exhilarating, intelligent watch that lingers long after the lights fade.
Playing at Riverside Studios until 6 April 2025.
Disclaimer: A complimentary ticket was provided in return for an honest and unbiased review.
