Ted Walliker's new play Ron at Riverside Studios in London attempts to blend standup comedy with a dark, Tarantino-esque narrative, but the ambitious mix falls short. The show, a co-production for Riverside Studios, follows comedian Tony (played by Walliker) as his standup set derails into a violent confessional.
A Promising Premise Derailed
The play begins as a typical standup routine, with Tony struggling to get laughs. Frustrated, he adopts a tougher persona and launches into a gruesome story about his best friend Mike, a scoundrel and long-time crush. The tale spirals into a night of pulled-off faces and cannibalism, starting from a mistake at McDonald's where they meet the titular character Ron. The framing device of a comedy set is quickly abandoned, with only occasional nods to the audience reminding us of the original premise.
Ambitious but Unfocused
Walliker's performance is assured, capturing the rhythm of standup comedy effectively. However, the second half of the play feels slapdash, filled with non sequiturs and lacking consequences. The story arbitrarily includes kidnappings, gangsters, and cannibalism, with thin nods to unrequited love. Tony avoids revealing what's truly bothering him, leaving the audience without a clear motivation for his descent into madness.
Creative Flashes
The show does have moments of bold creativity, particularly the extravagant set reveal that hints at the story coming to life around Tony. Walliker takes on multiple roles—writer, performer, co-director (with Lev Govorovski), co-set and costume designer, and lighting and sound operator. Despite his talent, the play would benefit from letting the audience feel Tony's inner turmoil rather than just watching him run from it.
Ron runs at Riverside Studios, London, until 5 July.
