The highly anticipated Unicorn arrives at the Garrick Theatre. Reuniting Nicola Walker with her The Split co-star Stephen Mangan, this three-hander is completed by Erin Doherty. Add into the mix Mike Bartlett – perhaps best known for his provocative play Cock – and we should be in for something special.
We meet married couple Nick and Polly. The two are bored, unfulfilled and conflicted about who they truly are and what they really want. Cue the arrival of Polly’s former student Kate. Could inviting her into the marital bed offer the sexual rejuvenation they seek or is this something that should remain fantasy rather than reality?
Miriam Buether presents us with a minimal set suggestive of a suburban home. A canopy of sorts looms over it, hinting at the idea of our three characters feeling trapped and restricted – by themselves and societies rules. Natasha Chivers delivers jolts of light leading to sudden blackouts, which means we only ever see snapshots of these people’s lives. While one imagines this might aid momentum it in fact reduces it. We also yearn to get to know the characters in greater depth, beyond them simply questioning their true desires but scenes are snatched away from us before this can be achieved.
Walker and Mangan riff off one another brilliantly and it’s of course a joy to witness such magnetic on-stage chemistry between the two actors. Doherty arguably has the most to do and more than stands her own, garnering a great many laughs. There is, of course, much humour here and with it being a Bartlett play, some gasp out loud moments. It feels very modern in its exploration of alternative relationships – its premise bold and to some, taboo.
Despite its stellar cast and its gifted writer, however, this sadly seems uneven and at times unfinished. It knows what it wants to say but its themes are repeatedly hammered home so that we eventually grow exhausted rather than enthused. The ideas take centre stage here rather than the story and while that can sometimes work, we can’t help but sense the play’s full potential hasn’t quite been met. An interesting evening, nonetheless.
Review by Jonathan Marshall
Polly and Nick have it all. Happily married, two children, successful careers. And yet there’s something missing… something rare and unforeseen… waiting to add a much-needed sparkle…
Written by Mike Bartlett
Directed by James Macdonald
Starring Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan and Erin Doherty
Kate Horton and Nica Burns present the World Premiere of
UNICORN
Garrick Theatre
4 February to 26 April 2025
Book Tickets for Unicorn
