'The Good Landlord' by Michael Ross
'Crammed to capacity with topicality, this sharp comedy full of serious concerns makes a smart debut show for Metamorph Theatre.' - Once a Week Theatre
Rupert Sadler (Ed) and Maximillian Davey (Tom) in The Good Landlord, VAULT Festival 2019
About the Show
'The Good Landlord' is Metamorph's first in-house production, developed in collaboration with playwright Michael Ross. It has been in development since January 2018, taking a collaborative and devised approach through improvisational workshops. Michael then crafted the script out of this work, adding his own unique brand of satirical comedy.
"Generation Rent", which the Metamorph team are theoretically a part of, is a growing crisis in London and across the UK. The show explores the reality of rent pressure on young people and draws parallels between social reality and an alternative, darker future.
VAULT FESTIVAL 2019
'The Good Landlord' premiered with a successful run at VAULT Festival 2019.
Director - Cat Robey
Assistant Director - Siar Kanik
Sound Design - Nima Chatrizeh
Lighting Design - Heidi Aurora
Phoebe Batteson-Brown as Clarissa
‘There’s a brilliant turn from Phoebe Batteson-Brown’s Clarissa [...] sharply witty and icily efficient, she’s the kind of compelling, disquieting presence that you just can’t keep your eyes off.’
‘Maximillian Davey gives a wonderfully understated performance as Tom, his approach is natural and endearing, cementing his character as the hero of the piece.’
★★★★
‘Rupert Sadler, as the acquiescent Ed, stalks the stage with his eyes raised permanently upwards, pleading with the landlord who lurks above [...] a brilliant comic turn.'
‘An interesting commentary on the current social climate, in London particularly, and cleverly illustrates the lengths that young people are willing to go to for decently priced rent.’
★★★★
Tiwalade Ibirogba Olulode as Bryony
Maximillian Davey as Tom
Rupert Sadler as Ed
playmill festival 2019
Following its run at VAULT Festival, Metamorph took The Good Landlord to the King's Head Theatre, Islington, where it was performed as part of Playmill Festival 2019.
Director - Cat Robey
Sound Design - Nima Chatrizeh
Lighting Design - Heidi Aurora
Production Assistants - Siar Kanik & Harriet Corke
Phoebe Batteson-Brown, Theo Ancient, & Rupert Sadler
Cat Robey & Sophia Eleni in rehearsal
For this run, Theo Ancient took over the role of Tom, whilst Sophia Eleni took the role of Bryony. Phoebe Batteson-Brown and Rupert Sadler reprised their roles as Clarissa and Ed.
All captions taken from Edward Lukes' **** review of The Good Landlord on Once a Week Theatre.
'Tom is a fascinating mix of insecurity and confidence, a balance of sensitivity with an intelligence that doesn’t suffer fools.'
'Eleni makes a sweet love interest for the landlord’s more reluctant tenant Tom.'
'Phoebe Batteson-Brown shows her tremendous comic skills with a performance of great assurance.'
'Ed’s desperation to keep living in the flat develops nicely into a mania [...] Above all, Sadler is funny throughout.'