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A masterclass in improvisation, acting and direction.Summary
Rating
Unmissable!
Three actors, one director, one “bag of pain”, no script, no rules, and sixty audience members encouraged to join in. Sounds like a potential catastrophe? Absolutely. But this is no disaster. Talking People: Volume 2 is outstanding theatre that combines improvisation with audience participation to create a truly unique piece of theatre that will never be performed again. The 60 strangers who sat in the Studio at the Bush Theatre that night were witness to a masterclass in acting and direction, made all the more special by the fact that the story was shaped by their own questioning.
A good question encourages thinking, promotes discussion, and builds trust. This principle is put into practice during Talking People, directed by Richard Vincent. At the start of the show, Vincent invites the audience to ask anything they want, even if it becomes uncomfortable. This leads to a dynamic where the audience put deep, probing questions, seeking insight into the characters’ motivations. Over the course of the evening, a sense of companionship emerges between the audience, actors, and director, creating a powerful feedback loop that shapes the narrative in real time.
Initially, the audience are formal, raising hands and waiting to speak. However, by the end, the atmosphere feels more like group therapy, with questions leaping out at the three characters —Lola, Leslie, and Tolu. The performance also highlights improvisation techniques. Vincent introduces “can they hear this?”, allowing characters to answer questions honestly, unheard by others in the scene. Other techniques include his “bag of pain,” which contains paper prompts, and a deck of cards that reveals each character’s current happiness level. These elements add depth and help advance the story, particularly in Act 2, set five years after the initial scenes. This blend of structured improvisation and spontaneous audience interaction makes Talking People a fascinating exploration of both theatre and human nature.
The three actors on stage in this performance are Elina Saleh, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, and Jonathan Ajayi. All three have impeccable reactions to the questions posed to them, are able to recall vast amounts of information, and create deeply complex characters on the spot. Saleh’s Lola is a character everyone loves to hate. On the surface, she seems like a spoiled brat with no purpose, but as the audience digs deeper, it’s revealed that she’s a mess of contradictions — and the audience calls her out on this several times. Ajayi’s Tolu is arrogant and a perfect stereotype of a privately educated man who comes from money. His performance garners the most laughs throughout the evening, which hide his insecurity that comes to the fore later on. Smith-Bynoe’s Leslie appears indifferent and calm at first, but as the show progresses, we get to understand his sweet personality, and you can’t help but root for him. When the deck of cards at the end reveals that he is the happiest of the three, and has found success despite his hardships, there is instant applause from the audience.
Talking People: Volume 2 only had two performances in this run, and it’s a shame more audiences couldn’t experience it. With a unique combination of improvisation, audience-driven narrative, and raw character development, this show offers a rare glimpse into the magic that happens when theatre breaks traditional boundaries. The chemistry between Saleh, Smith-Bynoe, and Ajayi, coupled with Vincent’s daring direction, brings each character’s journey to life in unexpected and profoundly human ways. For those lucky enough to be in the audience, it was an unforgettable evening of theatre that felt as organic and alive as the questions that shaped it.
Directed by: Richard Vincent
Created by: Elina Saleh & Richard Vincent
Produced by: Elina Saleh (People Talking LTD)
Co-produced by: Kamal Boulema
In association with The Sessions, presented as part of the Bush Theatre’s ALT B programme.
Talking People: Volume 2 has completed its run at the Bush Theatre.
