The White Chip
Minimal set, maximum impact. The White Chip, Sean Daniels’ autobiographical deep-dive into addiction and recovery, arrives at Southwark Playhouse Borough in a slick, sharp and deceptively light-footed production that somehow manages to be both chaotic and controlled — much like the mind of its protagonist. At just 1 hour 40 minutes with no interval, this is theatre as a bender: fast-paced, fragmented, disorienting — and devastatingly true.
Performed in thrust, with a basic black floor, the staging might appear modest at first glance. A few bottles, a desk, a disco ball, and some party balloons suggest a celebration, or a hangover. But this space shape-shifts rapidly and effectively thanks to tight lighting and the agility of the cast. Scenes last only seconds; memories flicker like frames in a flipbook style. The result is an intoxicating blur that smartly mirrors the inner state of a man spiralling through years of substance misuse and emotional turmoil.
Sean Daniels writes with dry, bone-cutting wit yet somehow the show still manages to hit the heart. The moment we learn that both his mother and he share sobriety dates, one year apart, is quietly moving in its simplicity. Likewise, the threads of grief, parental decline, and suicide are gently woven in without ever weighing the piece down. That’s both its strength and its limitation: there’s a breezy theatricality to the storytelling that keeps the audience entertained, but could have dived deeper into the darkness to truly envelope the audience. The rage, the shame, the true rock bottom — we glimpse it, but never quite stay long enough to feel it fully.
The cast of three are impressively dynamic. The two supporting actors (Mara Allen and Ashlee Irish) deliver a masterclass in multi-rolling — zipping through dozens of characters with energy and humour — while the lead Steven (played by Ed Coleman) grounds the show with a narrator’s ease and a survivor’s perspective. If anything, the American accents could do with tightening up, occasionally slipping, but the chemistry, timing, and stamina are undeniable.
Despite its buoyant tone, The White Chip doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths of alcoholism. The slurred excuses, the breakdown of relationships, the ease of the spiral — all are presented with a kind of casual horror. And yet, it’s funny. Genuinely funny. A testament to Daniels’ ability to find levity in the darkest places.
This is important theatre: accessible, human, and oddly up-lifting. It could afford to dig a little deeper — but even on the surface, The White Chip offers a sharp and vital look at addiction, and the long, painful road to recovery. Let’s hope it holds a bright future on the stage as it’s an important piece of theatre, highlighting the severity of addiction whilst being washed down with good old fashioned humour.
This show was reviewed on the 11th July 2025 at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London where it runs until the 16th August 2025. For tickets visit: The White Chip - Southwark Playhouse Borough
Review written by Lauren Atkinson
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Photo credit : Danny Kaan
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