The Review by Martin Dockery

“Wait. Is this fucking play about us?!” - Euphoria

Martin Dockery scratches an itch I have for clever, fast-talking, ridiculously repetitive plays that ouroboros just until the edge of complete frustration. It’s been years and I’m still not sick of his work. The Review is about a performance review. But maybe it’s also about play reviews.

This one doesn’t go quite as abstract as some of his other two-handers, like The Stakeout or Long Night of the American Dream. I think it’s worse off for it, but maybe the guy got tired of hearing people complain about how they couldn’t understand his plays.

Maybe I am not the audience for this show. I clearly had a very different experience of this show then several other reviewers.

What I saw was an hour of only partially comprehensible dialogue between who lawyer who sat and talked over each other while exchanging veiled threats against each other, each looking to get an upper hand over the other. I had no sympathy for either of them. A great deal of time was given to arguments with a Siri-like light controller which appeared to prefer one of the characters as they either used the coloured led strips to communicate emotional states or effect emotional states, I was not sure which.

Martin Dockery brings on the energy in another solid Fringe performance. This 2-person play is full of fast-paced frenetic spirit, with dizzying laughs and anticipation. The quick dialogue keeps the pace and sort of leaves you breathless. This is a classic Fringe show, and a strong recommend.

Dockery does it again.

Martin Dockery and Andrew Broaddus were both fantastic in their previous show, The Stakeout ★★★★★ (2025). They have impeccable chemistry and timing on stage and it only gets better here.

I think their greatest skill is an "It's Always Sunny"-style continually talking over each other, while we in the audience still pick up everything. Magical. Dialogue is rapidfire like in Gilmore Girls or a Sorkin show, and there are quick one-liners and puns abound.

They must have had a previous life in corporate office environments because they absolutely nail the inane bureaucracy of corporate review.

The show is a bitingly funny corporate satire, that in classic Dockery style leaves you thinking about it well after the curtains close.

Outside of the theatre someone said they'd had their fill of two dudes talking, but I couldn't disagree more. I could listen to these dudes talk until the end of time.

I’m starting to think I’m just not the biggest Dockery fan. That said, I went to this performance with friends and figured I’d give him another shot, since this couldn’t possibly be as disjointed as his other work at the Fringe this year.

The Review was certainly better—easier to follow and funnier in places—than The Forbidden City. However, I still felt that some of the jokes didn’t quite land. The ending, in particular, felt a bit like “boomer” humour about technology rather than genuinely well-crafted comedy.

Ultimately, I’m not sure I’m Dockery’s audience, and I’ll probably leave his performances to a different generation in the future.

What starts as a seemingly straightforward conversation between two lawyers quickly becomes anything but. The Review is a fast-paced two-person production filled with sharp humour, unexpected turns, and plenty of moments that leave the audience wondering where the conversation will go next. Rather than staying focused on the purpose of their meeting, the two characters constantly get sidetracked. What should be a simple review becomes tangled in personal drama and conversations that take increasingly unexpected directions. The result is a chaotic and often hilarious interaction where the audience is left waiting to see if they will ever actually get back to the point. The chemistry between the two performers is another strong aspect of the production. Even during the more humorous moments, there is an underlying tension between the characters that is easy to pick up on. Their fast-paced dialogue requires strong timing and focus, and both actors handle the rapid exchanges while still making the emotions behind their characters believable. Lighting is another important part of the production. Changes in lighting help shift the mood and atmosphere of different moments, adding to the tension without needing to explain what the characters are feeling. Elements involving AI and advanced technology also add an interesting layer to the story and create plenty of questions for the audience without giving everything away. It is a production that is best experienced without knowing too much beforehand, allowing the twists and turns to unfold naturally as you watch.

Sharp, incisive writing. Perfectly cast. Great acting. A funny and devilish show.

Who would have thought that watching two lawyers undergo a performance review that goes increasingly off the rails would be so entertaining?

If you have seen any of Martin Dockery's other Fringe shows and liked those, you will enjoy this one! If you haven't seen any of his shows before (like me), this is a solid pick.