End ★★★★ National Theatre | Nov 13 - Jan 17, 2026


End is the third play in David Eldridge's trilogy about couples at different stages of their relationships. In this final instalment, Alfie (Clive Owens) and Julie (Saskia Reeves) confront Alfie’s imminent death from cancer. Their exchanges are at once humorous and deeply affecting as they revisit memories, moments of happiness, regrets, and past conflicts. Plans for the funeral become conversations about dying and tentative imaginings of what might lie ahead. Each of the three plays is set in the morning, a liminal period between night and day that suggests transition and vulnerability. However, in this instance, the strictly limited timeframe feels somewhat contrived. Too much is compressed into a span that in reality would unfold over several days. Dividing the play into a series of distinct scenes with overlapping discussions might have made for greater verisimilitude and prevented some of the abrupt changes in tone and subject matter. Within ninety minutes all five of Kübler-Ross’ stages of grief are explored. However, both cast members offer superb performances, capturing the range of emotions such circumstances evoke. Some of their strongest moments occur in silence, and these points manage to hold the audience’s attention while creating a powerful stillness that becomes deeply resonant. Eldridge’s writing gives Alfie an immediately recognisable and believable presence, and Clive Owens embodies him with great sensitivity. Saskia Reeves is equally compelling as Julie, although the idea that she is a writer and teacher is belied by her grammar and it is ultimately unconvincing. Rachel O’Riordan directs with a careful sense of pacing, allowing the story to unfold in an unforced manner, and Gary McCann’s set design serves as a striking reflection of the characters who inhabit the space. End is a moving and thoughtful examination of a moment that every long-term relationship must eventually encounter.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo Marc Brenner

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: London SE1 9PX, UK

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