In a crumbling coastal town, a fading comedian is forced to confront his estranged ex-partner – a deranged recluse fixated on their distant heyday—in a tale of guilt, ambition and the ghosts of British show-business.
Billy Bash, who gloried in the title of Britain’s Third Most Offensive Comedian, refuses to admit he is in the twilight of his career, his brand of humour unchanged since his 80s family friendly double act with Clifford Biddle came crashing down. Billy went solo; Cliff went to prison. But now, the final night of Billy’s tour brings him to the decaying seaside resort of Saltmouth, to pay a visit to his former partner, who stews in resentful obscurity.
In Cliff’s storm-lashed maisonette, truths from their shared past resurface, and the line between guilt, madness, and the supernatural blurs, spiralling into a darkly farcical nightmare.
★★★★★ “A brave and intelligent elegy for a lost England...as thematically rich as it is darkly funny... strong shades of Osborne’s The Entertainer, Sartre’s Huis Clos and the brooding menace of early Pinter, and replete with literary allusions (from Poe to Hamlet) ... Highly recommended.” – The Telegraph
★★★★★ “An incredibly witty and fiercely topical dark comedy... keeps the audience on their toes. A masterpiece of dark comedy drama.” – Spy in the Stalls
★★★★★ “A hilarious and horrifying satirical triumph... not only is the script compelling, but director Oscar Pearce has brought it to life as an atmospheric clown show... transports the audience to this sinfully silly night in Saltmouth. ” – A Young(ish) Perspective
★★★★ “Gleefully weird” – The Stage
★★★★ “Excellent... A fast-paced satirical farce with a message for comedians old and new... a thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining evening. ” – Everything Theatre
★★★★ “This author seems to be that rare thing, a darkly observant, slightly pessimistic spirit who properly understands that the way to come at doubts and unease about your country is through comedy” – Libby Purves, Theatre Cat
★★★★ “Jagasia and director Oscar Pearce together bring us an evening of heightened energy and high-pace theatre that holds us in the moment and delivers life as farce. ” – Morning Star
★★★★ “a thought-provoking and grimly funny foray into a bygone showbiz age. ” – Beyond the Joke
“The script is full of deliciously rude zingers and the performances are terrific.” – Daily Mail
“Unsettling, multi-layered, hilarious dive into the great modern British divisions, Oscar Pearce’s skilled direction of the highly accomplished cast achieves the goal he sets himself in the programme of balancing the horror with humour.” – London Grip
“Stuffed with comic invention, there's so much to love about The Double Act” – The Reviews Hub
“The play explodes into a heady mix of tragedy, comedy, slapstick and farce.” – British Theatre Guide
“This is the darkest, wittiest comedy playing in London... a masterly comedy” – Fringe Review
