The Retreat

 

Rating: 5 Stars

The White Bear

10 April 2024

It’s rare that a show is so funny that an audience member knocks their drink over before the actors have even entered the stage. However, that was what opened the show for Room One Theatres’ production of ‘The Retreat’ on the 10^th April 2024, at the White Bear Theater.

 

Coincidence? Maybe…….

 

Regardless, it certainly provided an early indication of the laughs to follow, as actor Jed McLoughlin entered for his first scene. Taking on the role of Luke, a Buddhist monk in training, McLoughlin didn’t let the unexpected water works disrupt a thoroughly enjoyable performance. But before we get into the nitty gritty of the review, let’s talk plot.

 

Tired and unfulfilled with his hotshot banking lifestyle, McLoughlins’ Luke has decided to take part in a spiritual retreat in the Scottish highlands. Peace, serenity and chastity are the order of the day, until Lukes older brother Tony (played by Harry Harding) shows up. What follows is a descent into a fast-paced comedic masterclass with truly tear-jerking elements. One moment teers of merriment are running down your face and your sides are hurting, the next your pausing and realising the gravity of the plays narrative.

 

Penned by comedic legend Sam Bain (Peep Show, Fresh Meat), ‘The Retreat’ sees Tony and Luke reunited on by the death of a great uncle. Over the course of their reconciliation, each brother reveals themselves to be deeply flawed. The appearance of Tara (Cara Heal), the supposed owner of the retreat only serves to complicate matters further.

 

Harding and McLoughlins are a perfect comedic duo, engaging in a seamless battle of wits, as each tries to highlight the others flaws. Harding is merciless on the attack, giving off strong Jay Cartwright energy (The Inbetweeners), as he throws his all into showcasing the drink and drug addicted screw up that is Tony. McLoughlins’ unbreakable calm is not only the perfect response to Hardings hilarious energy, but also signifies that not all addictions come in substance form. Add to this a wonderfully awkward failed one sided romance between Luke and Heals’ Tara, and the laughs just keep on running. Each actor completely smashes their role, with Heal being the perfect accompaniment to Harding and McLoughlin.

 

Despite the comedic strength of this play, for me the most compelling moments were when the tone shifted. Creating a belly laughing comedy is hard, creating one with convincing serious undertones shows rare talent. ‘The Retreat’ succeeds where others would fail, as both brothers reveal their own struggles since the death of their parents and struggles of their joint upbringing. The final moment where the brothers finally accept themselves and each other nearly brought me to tears and earned them a much deserved standing ovation. If you haven’t seen ‘The Retreat’ then get yourself down to the White Bear for this masterclass in comedy and drama.