PARTY SEASON
Royal and Derngate Theatre
★★★
“You’ll be laughing one minute and welling up the next”
Wardrobe Ensemble’s latest creation, ‘Party Season’ – premiering at the Royal & Derngate ahead of its UK tour – delivers sharp humour and real poignancy, capturing the chaos and tenderness of new parenthood. The script could use a little tightening, but it’s still a funny, touching ride for anyone who’s been there.
After moving back home unexpectedly, Xander’s faced with a manic weekend of solo parenting that drags old memories to the surface. As past and present collide, can he break old patterns before they break him?
Devised by the Wardrobe Ensemble and cast, with dramaturgical support from Tom Brennan, expect lots of sharp, funny insights into parenthood. From first party panic to newborn exhaustion, and child-free privilege to the relentless parents’ WhatsApp group, it nails the highs and lows. There’s real heart too, with Simone’s breathtaking monologue on motherhood landing with lyrical force. However, as a devised piece, it feels composed of discrete sections which don’t always cohere. Simone’s horror film-esque jump scares jar with her motherhood monologue, and the barrage of text messages and voice notes – while hilarious – feels over emphasised. Crucially, the emotional thread of the piece – Xander’s troubled relationship with his late father – doesn’t quite get the payoff it deserves. With a little reshaping this could be something really special.
o directors Helena Seneca and Jesse Jones, with trainee assistant Gracie Eve, deliver some standout moments. The snappy use of tech – especially the explosive phone sequence – really makes scenes pop, and the movement work is beautifully judged. Doors create various moods, from feeling on the outside to feeling trapped. Other elements work less well: the Entertainer’s opener could do with a little more spark; the “children’s” switch from kneeling to standing is a little awkward; and a few characters stay caricatures while others deepen. Still, it’s confident, inventive work.
Bronia Housman’s single set is stunning: the cheery balloons feel both carefree and untethered, and the forced perspective doorways add a subtle house of horrors edge. Housman’s naturalistic costumes keep the story grounded in real people. Beth Duke’s sound design brings the world to life with pop brightness and tense ambience, while Chris Swain’s slick lighting delivers both high energy punch and quiet emotional depth. Together with assistant designer Miranda Cattermole, the design really stands out.
The ensemble of cast and devisors clicks with real cohesion. Tom England gives Xander searching emotional depth, and Kerry Lovell’s multi roling is pitch perfect, especially the quietly devastating motherhood monologue. Fowzia Madar brings warmth and nuance as Bea, while Jesse Meadows’ Celia is a comic highlight, even if the script limits Celia’s emotional arc. Ben Vardy’s grounded David is a great counterpoint, and James Newton offers engaging contrast between the endearing Felix and knowing Entertainer. Jacade Simpson’s Kane and Aonghus are sharply drawn and very funny. A strong, well matched cast.
‘Party Season’ brings a little more party than punch, but its take on parenthood still hits home. You’ll be laughing one minute and welling up the next, so catch it on tour while you can.
PARTY SEASON
Royal and Derngate Theatre then UK Tour continues
Reviewed on 10th April 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Paul Blakemore
