Review: BRILLIANT BRITISH: Lingering Loves, Crazy Coqs

Sitting in the intimate Art Deco cabaret lounge known as Crazy Coqs, it’s hard not to be drawn in by its quiet Parisian decadence. Tucked beneath Brasserie Zédel, the space transports you straight to the 1930s, conjuring images of smoky jazz clubs, cocktails and long cigarette holders. The entire building feels like an elegant homage to speakeasies, its décor ageing with a kind of effortless grace.

Tonight, short stories take centre stage. Once considered the overlooked cousin of the novel, the form has steadily gained recognition and literary admiration. The evening’s readings are drawn from the 2026 edition of Best British Short Stories, edited by Nicholas Royle. Three pieces explore the theme of “lingering loves”, each introduced by saxophonist Derek Nash, whose mellifluous playing sets the tone.

Tara Summers opens with Philosophy by Lucy Thynne, an expressive dive into the emotional turbulence of endings and the unexpected reconnections that follow. Gary Kemp then performs Celia, Graham Mort’s reflective portrait of a lifelong marriage. Infused with a poetic, almost fable-like quality, the story traces the domestic rhythms and quiet intimacies of its protagonists. The final reading, Sand by Ben Tufnell, is a poignant meditation on youth, memory and the landscapes that shape us. After the performance, Tufnell remarks that he considers the piece rather sombre, making the humour Ben Miller finds in his perceptive rendition an unexpectedly illuminating revelation. The three stories form a kind of love-steeped fever dream; tangled, tender and emotionally charged, with each protagonist attempting to untwine the threads of their own experience.

WORDTheatre Campus is the live and digital arm supporting under-resourced schools, and a vital extension of WORDTheatreUK. Co-founder Cedering Fox speaks about the charity’s mission with palpable enthusiasm, describing her aim to ignite a love of literature in the institutions that need it most. If tonight’s readings are anything to go by, the rest of Royle’s curated series is likely to be just as strong. Still, there’s an undeniable absence of breadth – not only among the performers (and the audience), but also within the roster of writers featured in the anthology series, particularly in the 2026 edition. It’s hard not to notice the irony: these readings are taking place in a venue reminiscent of the jazz clubs that shaped Soho’s nightlife in the 1930s, spaces that played a significant role in London’s journey towards multiculturalism. Yet, despite the sultry saxophonic tones, that spirit wasn’t reflected on stage this evening. To celebrate the “best of British” while barely acknowledging the range of communities that make up the UK naturally prompts questions.

This isn’t a demand to wedge diversity into every corner of British culture – more an observation. People benefit from encountering contrasting voices and seeing their own experiences mirrored on stage. It’s worth considering, especially since WORDTheatreUK aims to reach communities with limited access to theatre in the first place.

Ultimately, none of this diminishes the sincerity or impact of WORDTheatreUK’s work or the enjoyable evening itself. But, as the organisation continues to expand its reach, widening the lens could enrich both the artistic offering and its connection with the audiences it hopes to inspire.

Written by Lucy Thynne (Philosophy), Graham Mort (Celia) and Ben Tufnell (Sand)
Produced and directed by Cedering Fox
Presented by WORDTheatreUK

BRILLIANT BRITISH: Lingering Loves has completed its run at Crazy Coqs. Check the company website for further performances.