Review: American Candy at Northern Stage

“…I rarely find myself laughing out loud this much…”

American Candy by Tom Murray, Northern Stage

By Lauren Powell

It was a coin toss between this and another show on at Northern Stage to review tonight. How do I choose between dance and a crime thriller? I have no idea how the other show went but I’m so glad fate picked American Candy – it was hilarious! 

Stage 3 is an intimate space with no reserved seats, and if you’re at the front you feel like you’re part of the action. That is an ideal setting for a show like this. With minimal but creative lighting and sets, they flipped and swivelled walls between a bedroom and the titular “American Candy” shop. It’s quite surprising how quickly your disbelief can be suspended and you settle back into the flow of the scene, even though the bed was just a candy stand a few moments earlier.

The play has only four characters, and I really enjoyed how they contrasted with each other. Daniel (played by George Kirby-Smith) stood out to me, I hated him from the very first minute. He’s a smarmy man-child that reminded me of every bad boyfriend any of my girlfriends has ever had. His wife Sabrina (played by Grace Longman), I found a bit wishy-washy, I didn’t really understand why she was doing many of the things she was doing. Story-wise, she’s a bit of a weak link – used to drive along parts of the plot rather than a fully formed character – but the actress who played her was great. Zaynab (Layla Chowdhury) and Connor (Joseph Pape) had some great chemistry; I found them both quite believable, from her overachieving to his wilful ignorance and complicity in his own exploitation. I rarely find myself laughing out loud this much, but the banter between Zaynab and Connor really tickled me. 

I have a couple of small niggles about the writing. Sometimes the monologues felt a bit long and sanctimonious. Maybe my attention span has been ruined by social media, but I lost interest during one of the more preachy sections. My other gripe is Tom Murray did such a good job of establishing Daniel as a bad guy from the off, (he’s a negligent partner who is having an affair, he’s a violent bully,), that he doesn’t also need to be a racist who announces “I’m a criminal and I’ve never been caught.” It just over-eggs the pudding.

You need to think carefully about seeing this production if you’re triggered by domestic violence, or mild racism. That said, I had a rollicking good time! My plus-one said “I’ve had a brilliant night – I’d recommend this to my friends” which really is the highest compliment for a play, isn’t it? I second him. In fact, I’m really recommending it to you right now. If you want to spend a night snorting your drink through your nose when you get hit by the really relatable – very fun – wordplay, this show is for you.

American Candy plays at Northern Stage on Wednesday 17 September.

Lauren Powell is a recovering academic from the North East of England. Currently residing in South Shields with her partner and two malevolent gerbils. Lauren is a short form writer who writes fiction as well as reviews. She has loved the theatre since childhood, and many years ago volunteered back stage with an amateur group, Stage Focus.  From one man readings to musical and beyond, Lauren can not get enough! You can find her on Twitter/X here.