Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy - Stratford East Theatre

Promotional Photograph

'Ava Pickett' is the name on everybody's lips these days, and this show has cemented that position. After the success of 1536 at both the Almeida and the Ambassadors' Theatre, it would be hard to imagine another play topping it. And whilst I'll always have a dark, twisted soft spot for 1536, Bloodsport has joined the ranks of the most gripping plays I've ever seen.

Pickett's signature seems to be taking historical stories and turning them into modern, shockingly relatable epics. This one imagines a sequel to the Iliad: Helen of Troy returns home after starting a civil war and immediately reopens an old wound with her childhood friend Cee. It's a story of friendship, heartbreak, motherhood, and - most importantly - the fight women face to be respected. That's something we can all relate to these days.

The show is set (designed by Polly Sullivan) entirely in Cee's decadently decorated living room, a reminder that this fight begins and ends at home. I'm always left speechless by Pickett's ability to paint such a vivid picture without reaching for intricacy. She lets the words do the work, and in an age where social media heightens everything to absurd levels, that's refreshing.

The performances were flawless. Michelle Dockery (Helen) and Laura Aikman (Cee) brought such visceral connection to the text that I felt their pain deep in my soul. But a play is made by its ensemble - and this one didn't disappoint. Maimuna Memon: what a performance. I won't say too much for fear of spoiling it, but hers alone made the trip to this venue worth it.

One performer stood out above all, though: Ethan Moorhouse as the Messenger. This "character" speaks outside the main action, acting as a bridge between the story and the audience - and connecting the Helen of Troy legend to this modern retelling.

I'm convinced Ava Pickett's name deserves permanent residence in London. Her plays are visceral, relevant, deep, and bloody good. Bloodsport is no different.

Leaving the theatre, I found myself thinking less about the myth than about the women who've fought similar battles, quietly, for years. That's the mark of a great writer: taking something ancient and making it impossible to ignore in the present. Pickett has done it twice now. I have no doubt she'll do it again.

Production Value: 95%

Value For Money: 95%

Personal Enjoyment: 95%

Overall Score: 95% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)

(AD | gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Stratford East Royal Theatre, London

Playing Until: 10th October 2026

Run Time: Approximately 2h - with an interval of 20 minutes

Tickets can be purchased from this link.