The Wasp

The Wasp is a nail-biting psychological thriller, written by playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and first performed at the Hampstead theatre in 2015 and then transferred to the West End in December that year. Then in 2024 a screen adaptation was released, directed by Guillem Morales starring Natalie Dormer and Naomi Harris. As the play begins we are in a Café, a woman arrives and sits at a table, she is vaping even though she is heavily pregnant and is a little inpatient, her name is Carla and-she is wearing the uniform of a well-known large store. Then a second woman called Heather arrives, it is clear they know each other, and it was no chance meeting as we find out that Heather arranged the meeting. Things are awkward to begin with, we learn that they were both at school together, but, they have not seen each other for twenty years, they have an interesting damaging history. At first, when they both started school they were good friends, but Carla changed and turned on Heather becoming her bully and tormentor. The two women have lived very different lives, Carla’s situation is bleak, she already has four children with a fifth one on the way, she is struggling financially, she does have a job for some hours a week working in a well-known supermarket, but has no career to speak of and she is in a very unfulfilling unhappy relationship. Whereas, on the surface Heather has done well for herself, she has money, a career, her own home, with good clothes, she is married and seems to have respectability. Carla appears a little confused as to why Heather wanted to meet especially after Heather tells Carla about her life which is not as happy and fulfilling as it appears on the surface, one of her main regrets is she has not been able to have a child despite there not being any physical problem and trying various procedures, a fact we see has consequences later in the plot. However shockingly she tells Carla she no longer likes her husband who is cheating on her. So, what is the reason for the meeting what does Heather want, could it be that Carla agreed to see her as deep down they both want something from the meeting? But Heather has done her homework, she has put time and effort into finding out all she can about Carla’s life; by putting together any information she can find on social media. One might think she was looking for information which could be used to influence or manipulate Carla. Then suddenly Heather offers Carla £30,000 to kill her cheating husband. Carla is understandably shocked and taken unawares as this was unexpected and she leaves the café, upset that Heather would think she was capable of such an act, but very soon she returns after thinking about the offer and accepts. During this opening scene we think we see the plot develop, however, there are lots of twist and turns and when you think you have worked everything out the plot changes direction again, and gradually we can only assume and expect there will be deadly consequences. I am not going to give any more information about the story as it is important in this type of genre for the audience to see and hear the plot while watching the play live.

Directed by Cath Dunne this was an outstanding production performed in the intimate setting of Southport Little Theatre bar, which lent itself wonderfully to this very in-depth, hard, wordy play. This was a two-hander meaning there were two actors in the cast, namely Alice McKillop as Carla, and Sabrina Haynes as Heather who were both very well cast, the two actors had developed two multi-layer characters which fit the profiles and were spot on for the storyline. They worked excellently together producing a believable relationship with real chemistry, energy, and realism. It felt like we the audience were part of the realtime conversation and action taking place in front of us. As the action progressed more startling information was imparted, and I found my sympathies changing from one to the other and questioning which one was in the wrong or in the right? It becomes clear that both women were victims in vastly different ways, Is Heather having a nervous breakdown, and why at this time in her life is she looking for some kind of Justice or revenge, what has happened recently to trigger her actions and decisions and why include Carla in her plans.Does Carla understand the implications of her behaviour when she was at school and could Carla be forgiven for her actions at that time.

One thing I must praise is the excellent set design by Cath Dunne, who made full use of the limited performance space. The changing of the set from the café to Heather’s living room was done very swiftly, efficiently, and smoothly by moving some furniture, props, and a hedge, which resulted in a completely different well-dressed set, well done to the set builders, stage crew, stage manager and properties. There was excellent technical input, and I must congratulate composer and sound designer Paul Alty for the very atmospheric score which along with lighting operated by Alex McKillop helped bring authenticity to the storyline and elevate the tension. Also well done to sound operator Chris Ratcliffe.

Congratulations to all involved in bringing this outstanding production to the stage, it was a very gripping piece of theatre with lots of surprises. I would usually say that it had been an enjoyable evening, but I think that word is not applicable to this play. I would say that we had an interesting, consequential thought-provoking, and challenging of beliefs evening.

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