A new play in London's West End turns the morning after a one-night stand into a surprising exploration of faith, duty, and human connection. David Ireland's 'Most Favoured' has opened at the Soho Theatre, where it will run until 24 January.
A Deceptively Simple Premise
The setting is straightforward: a Travelodge hotel room in Edinburgh during the festival. A couple, Mary and Mike, wake up after a casual encounter. She, played by Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle, is in the shower. He, portrayed by Skins' Alexander Arnold, is eating a bucket of KFC for breakfast.
Their post-coital chat, however, quickly reveals this was no ordinary hook-up. What begins as a humorous exchange—with Mary reliving the night's passion and Mike focused on his chicken—unravels into something far more calculated. Both characters were on separate missions that converged in that hotel room.
Missions and Revelations
Mary has spent months trying to get pregnant by sleeping with different men. Mike, whose initial naivety proves to be a facade, confesses he was specifically dispatched to fulfil that role. For him, it was a duty, planned with the cold precision of a business trip.
Beneath the play's strange comedy and fizzy repartee, Ireland grapples with profound themes. He touches on secular and religious faith, self-belief, and goodwill, echoing concerns from his other work like The Fifth Step. The production, directed by Max Elton, is heightened by Ceci Calf's set, which perfectly captures the muted, stuffy atmosphere of a budget hotel room, complete with a view of a brick wall.
A Compelling Double Act
Lyle and Arnold prove to be a compelling double act, expertly navigating the awkward blend of intimacy and anonymity that defines the morning after. Their light rapport ensures the 45-minute runtime is engaging, though the seriousness of the subject matter sometimes lingers beneath the surface.
Each character has moments of touching tenderness, particularly surrounding the 'gift' of Mary's pregnancy, which contrast sharply with jokes about their vastly different worlds. The script is delivered with the flair of a tall tale, making for an invigoratingly earnest look at the divine and the deeply human.
While the humour never reaches the outlandish extremes of Ireland's Ulster American, and some may yearn for the more wired energy of its Edinburgh Fringe origins, 'Most Favoured' remains a funny and thought-provoking piece. It originated from a Traverse Theatre project allowing playwrights to realise 'dream plays,' and its concise power leaves a lasting impression.
'Most Favoured' is at the Soho Theatre, London, until 24 January 2024.
