Waspy women

PAUL DONOVAN recommends an intriguing tale of abuse, bullying, revenge and long-held grudges

Theatre Review / 18 September 2026 Man to Man: a magnificent revival of an East German classic 18 September 2026 PETER MASON applauds the revival, 39 years later with the same team and cast, of Manfred Karge’s version of Brecht’s 100-year-old play, Mann Ist Mann

MAYER WAKEFIELD applauds a fearless attempt to bring to the stage the 1984 toxic gas disaster in Bhopal, India

ALEX HALL applauds the account of a dogged, traumatic and punishing campaign for justice that has lasted from 1998 to the present day

NICK WRIGHT laments the political bias of an epic attempt to tell the history of the liberation of France from the Nazis, that excludes both the decisive contribution of the Soviet Red Army, and of the French communist party itself

JOE GILL traces the ideology and method of contemporary imperialism back to the greed, hubris and violence of the late 15th century Portuguese

AN intriguing tale of abuse, bullying, revenge and long held grudges unveils in this two-handed Morgan Lloyd Malcolm play.

The Wasp twists through a number of scenarios, centring on two former school mates meeting up after 20 years. One, Heather (Chloe Orrock) initially appears settled in a middle-class lifestyle, married, with a career. The layers of insecurity, though, driving vengeance, quickly peel back.

The other, Carla (Kylie Ann Ford), is having a far rougher ride in life, pregnant, working as a prostitute. She, though, is the cause of many of Heather’s problems, but it is not a one-way street.

But the tables turn and turn again, with scars from the past brought up to devastating effect on both protagonists. An indecent proposal sits at the centre of the plot.

This east London Theatre production sees the play presented in the round. This provides an intimacy to the two-handed production, bringing the audience into the action. Orrock and Ann Ford do well in holding the attention for the whole 90-minute duration of what is a challenging play.

If the first half zips along, a little of the momentum is lost in the second half. However, the Lloyd Malcolm play is intriguing, moving from one scenario to another before the explosive conclusion.

This Wanstead Fringe production is well directed by Jon Fentiman, using the small space well, with a simple set. The confined nature of the setting also demands much of the two performers, who rise to the challenge.

An excellent tale, well worth seeing.

Runs until September 26. Boxoffice: wansteadfringe.org 

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Theatre Review / 4 September 2026 Still angry, still relevant 4 September 2026 PAUL DONOVAN welcomes a revival of Reginald Rose’s classic play that reminds us of the fundamental need for trials with juries

Theatre review / 28 August 2026 The Marilyn Monroe conspiracy 28 August 2026 PAUL DONOVAN applauds an intriguing multi-layered depiction, dominated by a stunning impersonation of Marilyn herself

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