Night City at Southwark Playhouse

Debuting in London and based on the real-life experiences of writer Max Wilkinson, Night City is a heartfelt letter to London’s infamous gig economy – diving into the joys and undeniable challenges that come with it.

The play, which lasted 100 minutes with no interval, was cleverly directed by Ebenezer Bamgboye, shifting between monologues and dramatic dialogue that highlight the twists and turns of a life dabbling with insecure employment. As the applause faded, this reviewer realised they had spent the performance sitting beside Bamgboye himself – something made increasingly obvious by the stream of audience members congratulating him on how effectively he conveyed the successes and struggles of these characters.

The play follows Jack, a hedonistic taxi driver being worn down by the “GoGo cars” algorithm, struggling waitress Tia and home care worker Tamara, whose lives intersect throughout their journey navigating the highs and seemingly unavoidable lows of the capital’s precarious job market.

Jack, Tamara and Tia were brilliantly acted by Jack Ambrose, Helena Pipe and Bex Smith, with each actor bringing something new and exciting to the story whilst seamlessly switching to supporting characters mid-scene.

Smith was a standout, capturing the naivety and nervousness of struggling waitress Tia while also embodying the brash playfulness of elderly heiress Gigi, who is being cared for by Tamara. Both performances were equally heartfelt and entertaining, and she convincingly played both characters, swapping between these wildly different personalities within a matter of seconds.

The chemistry between Ambrose, Pipe and Smith added to the performance – each impressively navigating a variety of sub-plots that veered between romantic, platonic and professional. Although a clever, stylistic choice, the mid-scene shifts were sometimes confusing, but over time the different characters wove together naturally and became easier to follow.

A highlight was how the production showcased so many hilariously relatable experiences – a waitress trying not to lose her underpaid job, a carer looking after a brash elderly lady and the absurdity of working as a late-night delivery driver, just to name a few. It’s evident the play was written with a deep sense of purpose – inspired by Wilkinson’s experiences as a cab driver in his early 20s. The struggles of precarious employment can often be overlooked in theatre; however, it feels particularly important to acknowledge these lifestyles during a period of such prevalent cost-of-living struggles across the city. Wilkinson tackles this topic with care whilst also highlighting the humour of it all, portraying this way of life as something that is as funny as it is tragic. It is this nuanced feeling that is beautifully conveyed in the equally heartbreaking and heartfelt message audiences take away from the show.

Although addressing the undeniable challenges of the gig economy, Wilkinson beautifully highlights the unexpected bonds made along the way and the hope for a better life that carries one through it all, ending on the striking quote – “you just never really know how these things go”.

Sofia Webster
Photos: Lidia Crisafulli

Night City is at Southwark Playhouse from 10^th September until 3^rd October 2026. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch the trailer for Night City at Southwark Playhouse here: