Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
A romance’s haunting descent into addiction.Summary
Rating
Excellent
When it comes to gritty, realistic addiction narratives, the bar has been set incredibly high by cult classics like Trainspotting and Requiem for a Dream. In this context, Kate Elliott‘s stage adaptation of Luke Davies‘ novel Candy at the Old Red Lion Theatre manages to carve out its own niche with a raw, intimate portrayal of love corroded by heroin use.
The story unfolds through the eyes of Dan (Kyle Malan), who chronicles his relationship with Candy (Freya James) as it becomes increasingly warped by their shared addiction. We witness their spiral with shocking authenticity — the endless cycle of promises to quit “tomorrow”, the descent into poverty, and the gradual erosion of their dreams. The play doesn’t flinch from the harsh realities, including Candy’s eventual turn to prostitution to fund their habit.
Satvinder Bahra‘s set design brilliantly captures the essence of the narrative without feeling cluttered. Quotes from the book adorning the walls create an atmosphere of impending doom even before the actors take the stage, setting a powerful tone for the performance to come.
Malan’s portrayal of Dan is a tour de force. As our seductive narrator, he twitches and scratches his way through increasingly abusive decisions, all while attempting to paint himself as a caring lover. The cognitive dissonance is palpable, creating a character you love to hate — manipulative, hypocritical, yet utterly compelling. James matches this intensity as Candy, delivering a nuanced performance that traces her character’s arc from bubbly art student to cynical addict to a mother facing the tragedy of miscarriage.
The supporting cast, Conor Craig-Stephens and Bridget Benstead, deserve high praise for their versatility in multiple roles. Benstead’s portrayal of Candy’s mother, struggling to reach her daughter, is especially heart-wrenching.
Elliott’s direction leans into cinematic techniques, creating a fluid narrative that echoes the film adaptation. Montages effectively capture the whirlwind of falling in love and the gruelling attempts to get clean. While the pacing is generally strong, there’s room for tightening to heighten the sense of urgency.
The production’s biggest challenge lies in its apparent hesitation to fully explore the darker aspects of the source material. While far from family-friendly, it occasionally shies away from the truly disturbing elements of the original story. Nevertheless, it remains a poignant and unsettling piece of theatre.
Candy offers a gripping, if slightly restrained, exploration of addiction’s destructive power. While it may not push boundaries to the extent of its inspiration, it delivers a potent, emotionally charged experience.
Director: Kate Elliott
Adapted from the novel by: Luke Davies
Set Design: Satvinder Bahra
Candy has finished its run at the Old Red Lion Theatre.
