The Wasp
The Wanstead Curtain, London
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

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