SOHO THEATRE – UNTIL 24th JANUARY 2026
REVIEWED BY JACKIE THORNTON
5*****
The morning after a one night stand in a Travelodge during the Edinburgh Festival doesn’t immediately scream Christmas, but this sharp and witty two-hander from multi-award winning playwright David Ireland has audiences gasping in delight as some truly astonishing truths come to life.
Most Favoured was originally staged as a reading at the Traverse during the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe so it’s perhaps no surprise that it revels in poking fun at the renowned arts festival. Double BAFTA Scotland winner Lauren Lyle, probably best known for playing Detective Karen Pirie in the hit ITV series, is Mary, a brash Glaswegian who’s been shagging her way across the country for the last eight months. Her latest conquest is American tourist Mike, played by Skins star Alexander Arnold, who wanders nonchalantly back into the room having ventured out for some breakfast KFC.
For Mary it’s been the best sex of her life. For Mike, the fried chicken is the best he’s ever tasted. Lyle brings real heart and humour to the role as Mary’s incredulity towards Mike’s laissez faire attitude to their night of passion ratchets up and up. Arnold, as Mike, remains unflappable and displays brilliant comic timing as his eyes refuse to be pulled away from that iconic striped bucket.
Director Max Elton has worked with David Ireland before on the critically acclaimed Not Now and not a beat is wasted in this performance as the layers of this seemingly everyday encounter are slowly pulled back.
There’s a wonderful rhythm to the low key battle for power between the two lovers and Ceci Calf’s simple set of a crumpled bed in a nondescript budget hotel room is put to good effect in demonstrating the clash of worldviews in Mary and Mike.
Over a pacy 45 minutes Ireland’s writing is undeniable and Lyle and Arnold are a joy and instantly watchable.
A Christmas tale like no other with sackfuls of heart and humour and a clever twist.