When The Fun Stops, Try Again? – Camden People’s Theatre, Euston 

Writer: Nathan Charles

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Intriguing & Inventive“

4 / 5

Not often does a show consist of the audience delivering the entirety of the performance, with an unknown run time that could span fifty scripts, or just one before the lights are up and the show is over. But this quirky, interactive show is all about taking a gamble – for better or worse! 

Creator Nathan Charles is never present on stage for the production, but his distinct voice in the pre-printed monologues on stage is clear and entertaining, delving into various themes related to gambling and the addiction it holds over many. Written text projected onto the back wall provides the instructions for the show – one by one, willing audience members volunteer to take to the stage, selecting a numbered ball from a box, that then correlates to one of the scripts provided, that they read out in full. They are then (depending on the number), given the chance to win a prize, gamble for the chance to get a higher sum of money, or (in the case of one unlucky audience member on the night we reviewed!) told to leave the auditorium as their luck had run out that evening. It’s an intriguing, inventive concept, that keeps the audience captivated throughout, suspense filling the room as we all find out what’s in store for the next ball-picker.  

This format, of course, relies heavily on extroverted audience members willing to step up and have their moment in the spotlight. The scripts are quite lengthy and detailed – often around 5 minutes long, which could be a deterrent for some people wanting to get up and perform. This wasn’t an issue on the evening we attended (4^th December), but would be interesting to see how this is approached if audience members weren’t so forthcoming, as it is the entire foundation of the show! There is no element of picking audience members at random – everyone has the chance to decide on their own, if they want to partake.  

There were seven scripts in total read on our evening – brilliantly engaging monologues, that highlight so many aspects of gambling and addiction. From the first, excitable moments of trying to win a prize at an arcade as a child, to the to the murky, confusing ground between gambling and fun on a game-show like Deal or No Deal. Many of the monologues have an element of humour within them, with enough depth to allow them to stand alone as short vignette speeches, yet still all link together as one fully formed theme.  

There is one pre-selected number that is tied to a large cash prize, and another that when selected, ends the show immediately – whether that is an hour in, or as the show opener, the element of the unknown adds to the fun and excitement within the room, and when the script of death is pulled and the lights abruptly come on, it’s a stark and intense metaphor for the tribulations that come with loss and gambling. That being said, because the show is so fun and entertaining, it does dilute the ‘loss and addiction’ aspect of gambling a lot, even when the script pulled is a more solemn one, the gimmick of the show remains the main focal point, which draws more attention on the highs that come from risk than the possible pitfalls.  

While the scripts alone are interesting enough to form the basis of a show, the premise is fantastically imaginative and perfectly fits the subject matter. A fun, thought-provoking watch that’s worth checking out – and if you’re brave enough to take to the microphone, you may even go home with a prize! 

Runs until 6^th December 2024