one4review | On 20, Aug 2026

A one-person adaptation of Nathanael West’s 1930s novel of the same name follows Tod Hackett, a struggling artist in Hollywood who becomes disillusioned with the pull of the fickle movie rat race. He falls for wannabe actress Faye Greener and observes and interacts with the broken people around him, and we follow the characters in the ebb and flow of LA, as they come to terms with their current predicament until the endgame.

This is a tour-de-force performance from Callum Patrick Hughes, who is completely in command, evoking the different characters with subtle nuance when required. The stage is relatively sparse, decorated with a few Hollywood touches. An excellent Americana music vibe runs throughout the show, with Hughes intermittently picking up the electric guitar to enhance the atmosphere.

At its heart, this is about the pursuit of the American Dream and the risks and price you can pay chasing it. Hughes plays it beautifully, allowing the words to do the heavy lifting and shifting fluently between the characters’ identities.

It’s a smart reworking that, for the most part, preserves the original text and, with the slight contemporary sheen, leaves you wondering, despite everything that has happened since the book’s publication, not much has actually changed over the years.

Powerful stuff, and it feels as relevant now as it ever has.

4 stars ****
Reviewed by Steve H.
Attic at Pleasance Courtyard
Until 31st August (excl. 24th)
12:50 – 13:50