A Most Pressing Issue - New Wimbledon Theatre Studio

This show is possibly the most unhinged comedy this reviewer has ever witnessed. Period.

Set in a prison ward director’s office, the show follows the madness of the director and his

assistant trying to solve the issue of a massive fire breaking out in the prison. Only problem is – they only seem to care about the governor’s daughter’s visit to the prison, and not the hundreds of prisoners dying in the fire. With sharp and witty jokes, and some slapstick humour, the cast of four bring to life the lunacy of the story and somehow manage to spin the horror of it into something absolutely hilarious.

To give you a simple example, the set features a fan plugged into the wall opposite the office door. In an attempt to put out the fire, Orly (the assistant) spends a good amount of time unplugging the fan and running across the stage to fan out the fire before the blades stop spinning.

The performances by the cast were nothing short of exceptional. Tim Harris – starring as

Penton, the director of the prison, and who also happens to be the show’s writer – leans into his character’s infuriating nonchalance and somehow transforms it into a trait that makes the audience both admire and resent him. Natasha Mula portrayed Celeste – the new intern who must serve as the voice of reason amid the chaos of the day. Mula’s portrayal was authentic and heartfelt, effectively bridging the gap between absurdity and reality. As for Matt Williams, the comedic assistant, his performance was utterly unforgettable.

Responding to every bizarre impulse – whether it was zipping himself into a body bag out of curiosity or using a fire extinguisher to prop open a door – Williams delivered a portrayal that was nothing less than iconic.

It’s a show that does not take itself too seriously, which results in the perfect 60-minute

comedy.

In short, A Most Pressing Issue (or perhaps How Not to Run a Prison) is a masterclass in

comedic chaos. It thrives on its own absurdity, refusing to offer easy answers or moral

clarity—and that’s exactly what makes it brilliant. With a cast firing on all cylinders, a script

that dances between the ridiculous and the razor-sharp, and a director who clearly isn’t

afraid to push boundaries (or extinguish them with a fan), this is theatre that revels in the

outrageous. If you’re looking for something polished, poised, and politically correct—look

elsewhere. But if you’re after an hour of laugh-out-loud mayhem with a surprising emotional punch, don’t miss this wild ride.

Production Value: 90%

Value for Money: 100%

Personal Enjoyment: 85%

Overall Score: 92% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(5*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Half Diamond Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Playing from 1st-16th August 2025

Run Time: 60 min - no interval

Ticket prices starting from £11 can be found on the festival's official website.

Click the link here to book online.