Vulnerability through Isolation
“I should go out.”
Thomas

Michael Wynne’s Clive is a study in isolation exacerbated by the working from home pandemic as a result of Covid. Thomas (Paul Keating) is an expert in technical support working for a large company remotely. Set in his immaculately designed apartment overlooking the river, he wears the usual habit of a Zoom worker, shirt and neat hair, white shorts below, bare legs and feet. His only companion is a beautiful, large Cactus called Clive, which was a present from his lover who has gone to live in Australia. Thomas’ affection and care for Clive the anthropomorphic cactus makes us appreciate its listening presence as his confidant.

Thomas has this pristine work space, anything he needs apart from his laptop stored in one of the many cupboards that line the back wall. As he opens a door to one, its inside lights up and shows the contents. In the opening scene he amuses us with some cleaning mop slippers so he can clean the floor with a spray and without being on his knees. Temu have them for less than £2! One of the cupboards opens to reveal a Dyson vacuum cleaner, tall so you can use it without bending down. These items are illustrating that Thomas may have a touch of obsessive cleaning disorder, but his environment is beautiful and shiny.
Thomas tells us about his work for the newish COO Naomi and the rarely seen CEO Nigel. He talks about office culture, things he misses like Baking Tuesdays when they brought in a tray bake for the office and George and Dragon Fridays when they all went for a drink after work. Now all Thomas’s contact is by email or Zoom meetings. It is unsettling to discover that Sue from Accounts, 28 years with the firm, seems to have gone missing.

This play is an excellent depiction of toxic office bullying, of conjuring up a case against someone with the collusion of HR, here called the Director of People, misinterpreting gestures to make them sound egregious. Sue tells Thomas she was offered a support plan which turns out to be a way to sack you without giving you a case to take to the Employment Tribunal.
The bullying reminds Thomas of how he was treated at school for his caring personality and quiet ways. Now he lives his life through the window, the swans on the river, the gay men across the river, the unhappy spinster, the pregnant woman opposite. The heron distresses him and ruins his idyllic picture of nature. After so long without leaving his flat, Thomas thinks about venturing outside, a seismic change for him.
Lucy Bailey shows the skill of her directorial range achieving productions that stay with you long after curtain down. Michael Wynne’s writing has gentle humour and lots of places to smile. I loved Mike Britton’s clean set and Chris Davey’s lighting darkens with the mood and brightens with excitemenI. I have long admired Paul Keating in musical roles but here he shows his acting acumen is touching and involving. Highly Recommended!

Production Notes
Clive
Written by Michael Lynne
Directed by Lucy Bailey
Cast
Starring:
Paul Keating
Creatives
Director: Lucy Bailey
Designer: Mike Britton
Lighting Designer: Chris Davey
Sound Director: Ian Dickinson for Autograph
Information
Running Time: One hour 10 minutes
Booking to 23rd August 2025
Theatre:
Arcola Theatre
Studio Two
24 Ashwin Street
London E8 3DL
Box Office: 020 7503 1646
Website: arcolatheatre.com
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge
on
2nd
August
2025