Precious Little Talent

Unboxed

Precious Little Talent

by Ella Hickson

Putney Theatre Company, Breaking Point Drama Festival at the Putney Arts Theatre until 25^th July

Review by Heather Moulson

Set in a high-rise in Manhattan, Precious Little Talent is an examination of awkward relationships.

It opens with a vibrant start from the leather-jacketed Sam, and one is instantly drawn to this fresh young New Yorker. Then, when he encounters a reluctant English tourist Joey, there is the making of of a romance. As Sam, Caleb Clarke opens an endearing and honest performance.

Sam faces a prospective Christmas as a carer for George, who has Lewy body dementia. Nick Hall, as the proud older man who is resistant to Sam’s care, performs with dignity and intelligence. He is a very natural actor. Sam and George share a strong rapport, leaving us to question who is really dependent on whom.

Jasmine Jones plays the role of Joey with intelligence and sincerity, but alas has projection issues, resulting in some vital information being missed. Nevertheless, she holds her own with her strong co-stars.

The bare set involves actors standing on cubic boxes, that are versatilely used as the plot goes on. It works well and looks effective, while the atmospheric and moody lighting designed by Rich Evans and Rey Wong is very striking.

As the plot progresses, Joey, an initially unlikeable character on first impression, unravels her reasons for escaping her home country. A first-class law graduate with mounting debt and barren career prospects, plus her familiar home ground changing drastically, she planned to reunite with her father located across the Atlantic. However, once there, it was only to find that he has issues of his own.

Anger, loneliness and strong emotions follows us through the play. Plus it leads to a surprise and poignant ending, that we couldn’t have envisaged.

Sensitively directed by Craig Legg, who made great use of the economical set, Precious Little Talent is a strong piece and this well-paced production that deals very smoothly with familiar and uncomfortable contemporary issues.

It is a great contribution to the Putney Breaking Point Festival of Drama.

Heather Moulson, July 2026

Photography courtesy of Putney Theatre Company