Never Have I Ever Review
By Jake Freeman
Last week, the provocative play, Never Have I Ever, made its Melbourne debut at The Fairfax Studio, within Arts Centre Melbourne. It is conceived and written by Australian-born, UK-based comedian and playwright Deborah Frances-White, host of award-winning The Guilty Feminist comedy podcast.
The stage was set as a London restaurant, complete with tables, bar, and a wine cellar. Married couple Jacq (Katie Robertson) and Kas (Sunny S Walia) are bankrupt restaurateurs, their dream business having failed in the aftermath of Brexit, despite their best efforts. Before the creditors arrive and take away their business, they decide to have a final meal with their friends Adaego (Chika Ikogwe) and her husband, Tobin (Simon Gleeson).
Fuelled by simmering tensions and plenty of booze, things boil over when a drinking game uncovers the real dynamics driving their relationships: power, resentment, envy, and fear.
Over the course of the story, secrets are revealed, feathers get ruffled and the characters’ true natures and suppressed feelings about each other come marching out in all their full glory.
Race, class, gender, get a thorough working over through the eyes Deborah Frances-White. The central question becomes one that reverberates through contemporary discourse: Who, has it the worst? The characters, within their microcosm of intersectional grievances, plead their cases. There is Adaego, who felt that she was chosen to be a speaker at a Ted Talk only because she is a woman of colour. There is Tobin who feels that his voice does not matter being a straight white man. Jacq has burning resentment of her humble beginnings and Kas is a fence sitter.
The show had some very funny and witty moments and excellent acting, down to the London accent. While this play certainly won’t win over everyone, Never Have I Ever will leave audiences feeling like the fifth guest at this dinner party, caught up in an entertaining, emotional but very woke story, filled with unexpected twist, and turns.
The show is conceived and written by Deborah Frances-White and directed by Tasnim Hossain. Never Have I Ever is now playing for a limited season until 22 March at The Fairfax Studio, within Arts Centre Melbourne, a short walk from Flinders Street Train Station. It stars Chika Ikogwe as Adaego, Katie Robertson as Jacq, Simon Gleeson as Tobin, and Sunny S Walia as Kas. This production contains frequent coarse language, sexual content, drug and alcohol use, the use of herbal cigarettes, strobe lighting and haze effects. It is only suitable for mature audiences.
The running time for this show is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes including a 20-minute interval. To learn more about Never Have I Ever and purchase tickets, go to https://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/whats-on/season-2025/never-have-i-ever/
