The Glitch – until 22nd December 2025
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
5*****
Writer and Director Oli Savage has woven a classic Christmas tale that you will want to see and feel every year. Anyone in search of a little Christmas magic, you have found it! Hidden in plain sight, a room full of delights awaits you.
The performance is layered to grip your attention at every turn. The most obvious is the library itself; a cornucopia of nick knacks that gives something new to look at with every glance. The intimacy of the setting draws you in to the story immediately. You are part of the library and it often feels like you are eavesdropping a private conversation. Other times you are the audience for an exquisite storytelling session.
Then there is the script, from high speed dialogue perfectly paced to hear every syllable to pregnant pauses, where you will involuntarily draw a breath.
The third layer is the acting. Ronay Poole (Isla Greenwood) attentively phases through micro expressions and subtle body language. Poole demands you focus on every detail as she slides easily between teenage girl to married woman, deeply in love, mostly an epic storyteller.
You can feel Maximilian Crimp’s (Malcolm Jeffries) broken heart trying to hide deep in his soul, seeping out into the library, knowing he must share and must pass on the legacy. Jeffries (Crimp) holds the stories in every sinew of his body, ready to pounce. The way he engages with the audience, staring you right in the face at times is totally immersive.
The powerful chemistry between the two actors gives their building relationship life. They encapsulate their characters wholeheartedly. From confidence to nervous fidgeting, you can feel their implied experiences and quirks. The magical twist corrects your false assumptions and adds depth to an already whimsical concept. Jeffries (Crimp) drives the narrative forward with charisma, while Poole (Greenwood) explores it with bountiful curiosity. A faultless performance that leaves you feeling full to the brim. I immediately wanted to see it again!