End at the National Theatre
Eight years since it started at the NT’s Dorfman Theatre, David Eldridge’s relationship trilogy finally comes to a culmination. Following the critically acclaimed Beginning (2017) and Middle (2022), comes End.
Although separate stories with separate characters (ie there’s no need to have seen the previous shows), the productions in the trilogy are connected by a character-driven exploration of love, each focusing on a different stage of a relationship. End, naturally, is about a relationship coming to an end.
Alfie (Clive Owen) and Julie (Saskia Reeves) have a discussion one morning while they wait for their daughter to come over to visit. Alfie is suffering from cancer and knows he doesn’t have much longer to live. He wants to tell Julie his plans for his final days.
It’s just two characters in a kitchen-living room with a simple premise: he is dying. This allows End to be driven by nothing but character and dialogue, giving the writing nowhere to hide. Elridge mostly delivers with a moving script, although there are one or two oddities throughout where things unexpectedly become a little poetic. Those aside, there’s expert rhythm balancing the sadness with a light sprinkling of humour that makes one hour and 40 without interval feel bearable.
Owen and Reeves are both great at bringing the show to life. It’s a generally natural and grounded piece, and their performances fit the realism perfectly, being incredibly believable.
The set is stunning. The house design is far more detailed than it needs to be, as Owen and Reeves could certainly make it work with nothing but a blank stage and a couple of chairs. But it’s wonderful to see such dedication to craft and immediately feel the magic of theatre.
End is a worthy finale to David Eldridge’s trilogy. It’s dark and it’s sad, representing life well.
Jim Compton-Hall
Photos: Marc Brenner
End is at the National Theatre from 20th November 2025 until 17th January 2026. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
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