MOST FAVOURED
Soho Theatre
★★★½
“this slick two hander pulses with life”
‘Most Favoured’ breathes new life into the Christmas story with a fresh, funny and heartfelt take on a cornerstone of Christianity. With a stellar cast and staging, it offers audiences a vibrant alternative to the usual festive fare.
Mary’s hiding a secret. Enter Mike, a clueless US tourist obsessed with KFC. After a whirlwind one-night stand, Mary lets her guard down… only to discover Mike has a secret too.
Written by award winning playwright David Ireland, ‘Most Favoured’ is an offbeat spin on a familiar story. Ireland makes striking use of contrasts: the oversharing Mary is set against the taciturn Mike, with rapid fire exchanges cleverly offset by silence. There are shrewd dynamic shifts, each character leaving the other speechless, and we power through a kaleidoscope of emotions in record time. Yet the twist proves predictable and the dialogue thereafter takes on overtly religious tones, losing some of its earlier sparkle and thinning the plot. The ironic finale – complete with a hilarious callback – lands with mischievous flair, though feels slightly misplaced after the devotional detour. Still, this is an entertaining spin that brings the story bang up to date.
Directed by Max Elton, Literary Associate Director at Soho Theatre, this slick two hander pulses with life. Staged as a single scene, the production sustains momentum through varied use of space and natural blocking. The contrasting characters are vividly realised, with nuanced reactions and expressive detail revealing inner worlds. The pacing is strong overall, though a few pregnant pauses could be trimmed. Still, shifts in tempo add texture and help us forget we’re in the same hotel room.
Ceci Calf’s set and costume design is spot on. The set convincingly evokes a well-known chain of budget hotels, complete with a witty window gag. The costumes are very on brand for each character, especially the use of colour which the clothes on the floor don’t immediately give away.
Amy Daniels’ lighting design is understated yet effective, lending the production a naturalistic feel. The closing fade, paired with a tongue in cheek reveal, provides a witty final flourish.
Marcus Rice’s sound design is pared back but intentional, using music sparingly for maximum impact. Naturalistic effects such as the shower are deployed with precision, adding just enough texture to bring the scene to life.
The cast is superb. Lauren Lyle – two-time BAFTA Scotland award winner – humanises Mary with gritty allure. Lyle deftly balances feistiness with tender vulnerability, her facial expressions effortlessly charting hope, betrayal and hurt with skill. Alexander Arnold, best known for roles in ‘Skins’ and ‘Yesterday’, is a quirky yet endearing Mike. Arnold’s deadpan reactions counter Lyle’s heightened energy, while sly comic beats – such as repeatedly eyeing the KFC during an impassioned speech from Mary – showcase his timing. Together, the pair make a charming oddball couple, delivering a masterclass in the art of showing rather than telling.
‘Most Favoured’ is a quirky, witty Christmas romp with a heart of gold. While the writing feels like a tale of two halves, the assured delivery maintains momentum, making this an engaging and entertaining seasonal show.
MOST FAVOURED
Soho Theatre
Reviewed on 15th December 2025
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Danny Kaan
