Theatre Review: The Mentalists - Wyndhams Theatre ✭✭

The Mentalists

photo by Helen Maybanks

Wyndhams Theatre

Wednesday 15th July 2015: The success of playwright Richard Bean's One Man, Two Guvnors has been remarkable, playing to sell out audiences in the West End, on tour and on Broadway. But alas,  this revival of one of his plays from way back in 2002, leaves me feeling, how do I put it nicely... less than impressed.

Holed up in a faceless Finsbury Park hotel room Ted (Stephen Merchant), and Morrie (Steffan Rhodri) are forced to confront the darker side of their unique relationship. Things unravel when they enter the room so Ted can record his Utopian video message to sell at £29.99 to willing people. The pressure mounts in this tale of friendship and his visions gone awry.

As a two hander, the pace seems slow, and there is only so much you can do in a static hotel room set, it's a rather underwhelming play, and not a great choice for Stephen Merchant's West End debut. Yes he can act, but the material here isn't the greatest. Yes there a few laughs along the way, but it still leaves you wanting more from the piece.

Steffan Rhodri is very good as the hairdressing friend of Ted, and shines throughout the piece, especially at the end when consoling Ted. But again, the story is rather boring to watch. There's not a lot more I can say about this show really.

Would I recommend it? In a word, no.

The actors are good, don't get me wrong, but at £96.75 for a premium ticket... You will be left very short changed indeed.

Two stars (literally) ✭✭

Listings info

THEATRE: Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DA
WEBSITE: www.TheMentalistsThePlay.com
BOX OFFICE: 0844 482 5120
TWITTER: @MentalistsPlay
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/TheMentalistsPlay
DATES: until 26 September 2015
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Wednesday and Saturday 3pm

TICKETS:
Standard Prices* from 17 July – 26 September
£59.50, £49.50 & £19.50

Premium price £96.75

*All ticket prices include a £1 theatre restoration levy and a £2 booking fee