Nick Hennegan Enjoys a Flawed, Flabby but Fantastic Cosmic Healing
Welcomes the pushing of theatrical boundaries at the Tabard
Paul John, played brilliantly athletically by James Stevens
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January 19, 2025
Cosmic Healing is a flawed, flabby, but fantastic production by a young, talented and ambitious (and, perhaps, importantly, a local West London) theatre company, Curtain Twitchers.
The premise of the show, written by Panda La Terriere and co-directed by her and Sophie Graham, who also plays former Page Four girl and ‘WestEnders’ TV soap star Cinderella Breakfast, is that a group of lost souls and neurotics travel to the East Coast of Wales, (No, there isn’t an East Coast of Wales - its one of the many subtle and not so subtle scripted plants) in search of enlightenment at the Cosmic Energy Healing Retreat, run by Paul John, played brilliantly athletically by James Stevens. Paul John – apparently a fallen bad boy of British comedy turned internet guru - promises an end to earthly pain. But they find Paul John is just a spaced-out bum living in an orange tent. There’s mud, mess, compost lavs and lack of food.
In spite of the attentions of the “work experience” androgynous Princess Diana fan, Gruffyd (Bron Waugh), the lack of East Wales Coastline (!) salvation and possible dopamine withdrawal push each of Paul John’s frazzled ‘disciples’ to the brink. And one by one, they start to wonder, is this really The End of Suffering or just a seriously horrible holiday?
It’s a funny show, with many mangled popular references. And it’s very contemporary. Max (Ollie Taylor) is horrified at having to hand in his Apple Watch. “How will I know what my blood pressure is? Or my resting heart rate? Or how much sleep I’ve had? Or…” And of course, there’s social media, with a delightful Canadian (not American!) True Crime Podcast host, the sexily dotty Krystal Withakay (Lucy Minderides). There’s a possibly disinherited ‘brat’ heiress, working in recruitment in Birmingham, Cressie (Sasha Bobak) and an oversensitive Australian R n B star, Lil Big Nasty! (Anna Fenton Garvey.) A former Fleet Street hack from ‘The Daily Sun’, Titch McDougal, (Tulloch Campanale) is mourning a loss, but he also gives a great live performance of a love song about his wife. “Where did this piano come from?” he asks the audience!
Get addicted to East Wales Coast world and its quirky, beautiful characters
It would have been nice to see a bit more of the Act 2 plot in the first act and the framing could have possibly been stronger, but there is some fabulous character acting and I loved the occasional forays into dance and physical theatre. The set by Eliza Podesta is simple, but imaginative and effective. It’s technically quite clever too.
I shall try and see the production again once it’s bedded in. Yep, Theatre At The Tabard has got me addicted to its East Wales Coast world and its quirky, beautiful characters. There should be more of this pushing of theatrical boundaries and the Tabard deserves credit for encouraging new talent.
Cosmic Healing is a funny show with many contemporary references
Go see Cosmic Healing at the Tabard. You shouldn’t need therapy afterwards.
Nick Hennegan
Cosmic Healing runs until 1 February at Theatre at the Tabard with tickets for performances up until 23 January costing £23.50 (£19.50 for concessions). After that they are priced at £25.50 (£21.50.
Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).
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