Channel Surfing At The End of Days - Hen and Chickens Theatre

Tonight, this reviewer was invited to see a new play by Callum Pardoe, staged in the intimate theatre nestled on the second floor of a North London pub. The play presents a novel concept: an anthology of scenes from various fictional television programmes.

Upon entering the space, the four cast members are visible on stage in pairs, facing the walls and engaged in what appear to be tense, frustrating conversations. The pre-show music and audience noise make it difficult to catch exactly what is being said, but rather than detracting from the experience, this serves to plunge the viewer immediately into the show's dystopian atmosphere.

Image provided by Production

Each scene is entirely unrelated to the last; one moment you are watching a comic exchange between two friends lamenting the miseries of jogging, the next a man is being tormented by a psychotic killer. While this is a little disorienting at first, it is by no means difficult to enjoy eventually. The writing is clever and fast-paced, compressing considerable tension and emotion into very short scenes and ensuring each one is memorable in its own right. This is complemented by a talented cast of four who engage deeply with the material despite the demands of switching tone at a moment's notice. Every transition is slick, with a single sharp bang (a gunshot, perhaps?) and a blackout marking the shift between scenes. All four cast members are on-stage almost all the way through, watching the show unfold before they take to their marks.

The cast, Matt Williams, Eleanor Cobb, Natasha Mula, and Joe Stanton, laid their souls bare on that stage, delivering some of the most gripping performances this reviewer has witnessed. Having previously seen Matt Williams in a brilliantly comic role last summer, it was a genuine pleasure to see him stretch into entirely different territory, demonstrating the breadth of his theatrical range. Natasha Mula and Eleanor Cobb were equally impressive, bringing a fearless energy to every scene and holding their own against the production's most demanding material. As for Joe Stanton, his solo, or near-solo, scene opposite what appeared to be a domestic Alexa system genuinely made this reviewer jump with fright. The character's distress was visible deep in Stanton's eyes, a testament to his natural and compelling stage presence.

Image provided by Production

The one shortcoming of the production may come down to a technical matter. It took a post-show conversation with one of the cast members for this reviewer to fully grasp that all the scenes culminate in the end of the world. There is an announcement at the top of the show resembling a news bulletin, but it passes so quickly that it is easily missed. This is a shame, as the framing device would add a great deal to the experience if it landed more clearly.

Ultimately, this is a bold and inventive piece of theatre. Pardoe's writing fizzes with wit and darkness in equal measure, and the cast bring it to life with real commitment and skill. A few technical adjustments aside, this is an evening that can resonate with every audience member in very singular ways, making this a brilliant piece to try and dissect. Well worth your time.

Production Value: 80%

Value for Money: 80%

Personal Enjoyment: 80%

Overall Score: 80% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)

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

Show Information

Venue: Hen and Chickens Theatre, London

Playing until: 25th April 2026

Run Time: 60 min