Soho Theatre – until 2 May 2026
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Christopher Brett Bailey’s reading of an abridged version of his novella really shouldn’t work on stage, but this show is a gem of masterful and magical storytelling.
Digging deep into Americana, the unnamed narrator first encounters Satan at the local convenience store, two miles north of Hell. Satan has a paunch and has rather let himself go but energetically tries to defend himself when caught buying soy milk and prove his evil credentials.
A white-knuckle ride along the road leaves a trail of dead bodies, but when no police arrive, Satan sets off for the nearest police station to turn himself in. But nobody in authority is interested in the unending line of people waiting to confess their crimes. The pair find their way to a dive bar where Satan’s attempts at seduction fail, leading to a gruesome threesome as Satan proves his sexual prowess with some interesting creatures. As the night continues, the narrator succumbs to Satan’s charms/vices and things become more graphic and more ridiculous until Satan is finally made to pay for his sins and the concept of eternal life is given a neat twist.
The monologue veers between hilarity and melancholy, philosophy and inanity, but always told with a mesmeric clarity that draws you in. Throughout the 70 minutes show, your eyes don’t leave Christopher Brett Bailey as he sits at his table, reading from his script in his calm, knowing drawl, making Satan’s growls seem even harsher. As things reach a climax Alex Fernandes’ fantastically atmospheric lighting creates even more tension as incremental changes become saturated and the contrast of good and evil becomes clearer.
I saw Satan at the 7-Eleven is a weird and wonderful triumph.