Are We Doing This Right? – Hen & Chickens Theatre, Highbury & Islington

Writer: Honor Koe
Director: Benedict Esdale

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Well-Layered, Meta References“

4 / 5

Are we doing this right? It’s a question most young adults ask themselves a lot as they leave school and are thrust into a world of responsibilities, bills and huge life-changing decisions.

Writer Honor Koe, and performer Ned Campbell play two flatmates asking this exact question. Recently single Campbell works in a corporate finance job in the City, hating the role, but determined to stay and build his career. Koe also works at an office job, but her passion lies in performing, inspired to write her own screenplay to attract the attention of casting directors and producers. But, writing is easier said than done – especially when she can’t figure out what her protagonist should be like and what the storyline should even focus on. Although Campbell encourages her to write about what she knows, it doesn’t appeal, preferring to shelve her family trauma to save her emotional wellbeing and focus on something more exciting instead.

This is an enjoyable show, written with a brilliant dose of relatable humour from the two engaging characters. Their easy chemistry and believable friendship strengthens their interactions, making the audience become a fly on the wall to their flat, glimpsing their every day conversations and experiences. The script frequently leans into the mundane ordinary aspects of their lives – getting home from work and having a beer before dinner, which in some hands, would be a drag to watch, but Koe injects light-hearted humour into the script, to make those everyday moments fizz with funny quips and endearing flashes of friendship. There are moments of emotion woven into the storyline too, that are executed well by the pair – not too exaggerated, but believably navigating the obstacles in their lives with a realistic approach.

Campbell is a relaxed, confident performer with natural comedic timing, easily complimenting Koe’s Emily Atack-esque theatrical comedic style. Koe showcases a variety of accents as she tries to piece together her characters monologue, with a humorously meta reference of including it in the script to highlight her range. This is alongside other meta references that make the script cleverly well-layered – such as the two-actor dialogue and the relatable subject matter of a show being a key to success.

The funny insight into the creative experience is wonderfully accurate with this refreshingly relatable show.

Runs until 24^th May 2025