The Human Connection ★★★★ Omnibus Theatre | June 22 - July 4, 2021


The Human Connection, a double bill by Eugene O'Hare, is not exactly well balanced. The first monologue (Larry Devlin Wants to Talk to You About Something That Happened) lasts around twenty minutes, whilst the second (Child 786) is a two-hander running for over eighty minutes. For us, the first piece was much more impressive; it was considerably better written and superbly performed. Stephen Kennedy is in award-winning form as Larry. Standing alone in a pool of light, he nervously fiddles with his fingers and scratches his ear as he passionately recalls painful memories of hitting his eight-year-old son over twenty years ago. He gives a frightening and faultless performance. Perhaps, the writing, good as it is, lacks an overarching shape but it remains powerful stuff. Before a final shock, we suffer much of Larry's torment and heartbreak. This is spellbinding theatre! Child 786 left us with too many unanswered questions. O'Hare's take on the pandemic feels a little simplistic, clutching as he does at almost every conspiracy theory so far propounded including experimentation with a child's mental health and even circumcision. Sadly, this scattergun approach leaves us unsatisfied even though Ishia Bennison and Josh Williams perform outstandingly well as the mother and son, Hilary and Lennox. We particularly liked Williams as the five-year-old Lennox. Bennison's Hilary is redolent of Julie Walters in the role. Consequently, it is the first piece which we carried away in our hearts and minds; especially due to Stephen Kennedy's mesmeric performance

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by D.S.J.
Photo by Damian Robertson.

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

When, Where, Getting there:

Most Popular

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Good Night, Oscar ★★★★ Barbican Centre | Jul 31 - Sep 21, 2025

The Daughter of Time ★★★ Charing CrossTheatre | Jul 18 - Sep 13, 2025

Brigadoon ★★★★ Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | Aug 2 - Sep 20, 2025

Every Brilliant Thing (with Lenny Henry) ★★★ @sohoplace | Aug 1 - Nov 8, 2025

Saving Mozart ★★ The Other Palace | Jul 28 - Aug 30, 2025

Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby ★★★ Sadler's Wells Theatre | August 5 - 16, 2025

The Diana Mixtape ★★★ HERE at Outernet | Jul 28 - Aug 10, 2025

A Role To Die For ★★★★ Marylebone Theatre | Jul 26 - Aug 30, 2025

Inter Alia ★★★★★ National Theatre | Jul 10 - Sep 13, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings