AD | Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Mentions of violence and suicide. Themes of grief. Swearing.
Tarantula, written by Philip Ridley and performed by Georgie Henley, is a gripping one-person show exploring trauma and survival in East London. Toni, a bubbly teenager on the cusp of adulthood, recounts her first love, a life-changing tragedy, and the long shadow cast by a tormentor she calls “Tarantula”. The bare stage and Henley’s impressive multi-roling keep the audience
anchored to her voice, energy, and raw emotion for ninety intense minutes.
Henley’s versatility is undeniable, particularly in her portrayal of Michael, Toni’s love interest, whose awkward sweetness feels heartbreakingly real. Her movement work is outstanding, especially in the gym scene near the play’s end, where her fluidity and physicality create a sense of catharsis. However, some of the multi-roling felt clichéd, with characters distinguished by simple
directional shifts that at times broke the immersion. The thrust staging also proved problematic; while central seats had the best vantage, much of Toni’s story was front-facing, leaving audiences on the sides disconnected.
The narrative’s pacing is relentless, and while this intensity mirrors Toni’s PTSD, it leaves little breathing room for emotional nuance. The assault scene, though repeated as her trauma resurfaces, lacked impact without sound design. Similarly, while the lighting added cinematic touches—particularly in the hospital scenes where we almost went from a wide shot to “close-up”—the
heightened acting and dialogue robbed these moments of their poignancy.
The story itself felt overextended. The play’s villain, the “Tarantula,” fails to deliver the menace his name implies, and his motivations remain unconvincing. The writing misses opportunities to tighten the plot, deepen Toni’s relationships, and create a satisfying resolution.
Despite these flaws, Tarantula is an unsettling, thought-provoking piece elevated by Henley’s skill. Yet, it could have been more impactful with sharper storytelling and a greater balance between intensity and stillness.
★★★.5
Tarantula is running at Arcola Theatre until 25th January
PHOTO CREDIT: KATE HOCKENHULL
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