A Most Pressing Issue

Ironing Out Problems

A Most Pressing Issue

by Tim Harris

Harris-Williams Partnership at the New Wimbledon Theatre until 16^th March

Review by Denis Valentine

For anyone looking for a show that bounces along as more of a British sitcom-esque piece with high slapstick and clowning, then A Most Pressing Issue has those elements in abundance, but for anyone expecting a more classical dramatic play then this is not quite it. 

The essential premise of the show is that Prison Warden Penton played by Tim Harris (also the show’s writer) is in his office on a particularly trying day, with his assistant Orly (Matt Williams).  Harris and Williams have a great comedic air about them and really inject a familiar Blackadder-ish style into their performances (Harris being the famous titular character with Williams as a Baldric/Percy type).  They both play off each other well and each make the most out of their set pieces, whether it be high clowning moments or the use of song and a guitar. 

Two other players, Celeste (Natasha Mula) and Sergeant (James De Burca) also make momentary appearances throughout and help offer breaks in play from the higher slapstick and clowning of Harris and Williams.

With the play having such a strong farcical-comedic aspect a big issue is that for most of its runtime there does not appear to be much jeopardy or anything at stake to the proceedings.  Their hopes and goals are established, but as there is little urgency to anything (the fact is that the prison is currently on fire and a character just casually remarks that they walked into town before making a phone call) there just feels like there is little reason for the audience to actually invest into anything that happens, other than just to laugh.  When the play suddenly reaches for a deeper meaning at the end, it feels slightly jarring and unearned when compared to everything else that has come before it.

The set is very serviceable to the action and has a good office design, perfect for the space that it is in.  The way the stage gets filled constantly with smoke throughout is slightly curious, as it is never addressed by the characters on stage.  Is it due to the rising fire or is it just that the smoke machine was left on for too long?

For the most part A Most Pressing Issue offers a lot of comedy and fun set-pieces for fans of slapstick and clowning.  Harris and Williams are clearly a talented duo with plenty of comedy chops and A Most Pressing Issue at its best showcases plenty of that.  With a bit of closer revision into how character work and development can be woven around them, then there is much promise for the future of the play.

Denis Valentine, March 2024

Photography courtesy of TH-MW