Theatre review: Knock Yourself Out

Writer Tom Holloway takes on the role of Roger

Tom Holloway captures the mood of a generation with his spot on portrayal of three graduates as they struggle to find their way in life, in new play Knock Yourself Out, now on at The Courtyard Theatre, Shoreditch.

In this funny, poignant and, at times, dark play, the audience is welcomed into the front room of Roger, Jono and Billy’s student digs as the lads continue to drink, party, take drugs, and generally continue with their hedonistic student lifestyle, with its associated highs and lows, before being forced to face up to reality.   

You witness the nuances of their complicated friendships and love lives, as well as the many and varied consequences of a Jagermeister and fine wine-fuelled game of ring of fire.  It will warm your heart as it takes you back to your own student days, as you sympathise with the plight of these three young men, struggling to work out what to do next.  It may make you yearn for your student days, but a part of you will surely be glad you don’t have to return to those uncertain times.

The cast is superb, with familiar faces from This is England, Spooks, and Hollyoaks.  You can’t help but feel a soft spot for lovable Jono (Joe Sowerbutts) as his heart is played with by Carrie (Jenni Herzberg).  Roger (Tom Holloway) is central to the play, and you will find yourself simulatenously delighting and despairing at his many errors in judgement, and sympathising with his long-suffering flatmates as a result.   

The play will no doubt remind many of their university days

The graduates' love lives are laid bare in Holloway's play

Billy (Paul Tinto) is the much-needed voice of reason in this otherwise somewhat dysfunctional threesome, and the only one attempting to further his education by undertaking a master’s degree.  His brutal Scottish honesty often brings his less realistic friends back to earth with a bump, and you may well cringe as he describes in detail what happened in Amsterdam…!  Ginny (Danielle Watson) and Nicola (Lucy Telleck) enter later into the play, and a burgeoning romance between Nicola and Roger makes you wonder if he’ll be ok after all.

The intimacy of the theatre makes you feel so involved in the characters’ lives, and you can see every expression on every actor’s face as you are so close to the action.  This is an absolute must see but, top tip:  don’t take Granny, unless you are confident that she is comfortable with talk of deviant sexual behaviour and flagrant use of the c-word.

We were treated with excellent hospitality James Warren / Photoshot

Knock Yourself Out is on 7^th – 24^th March at The Courtyard Theatre, Shoreditch.  Tickets £16.50, £12.50 for concessions.

Click here for more information and to book tickets.

Written and produced by Tom Holloway, directed by Becky Catlin.