The Dishwashers - Review by Alice Mullineaux

*** (3 Stars)

Richmond Theatre, London - Monday 3 March, 2014

Audiences coming to watch Nikolai Foster’s interpretation of Morris Panych’s The Dishwashers have no doubt been drawn to see David Essex take to the stage once more, this time in the rather unglamorous role of a tough but weathered dishwasher contemplating life and all it has to offer. 

He is joined by Rik Makarem as Emmett the vexed but enthusiastic “new boy”, a once high-flying banker who has fallen from grace, and Andrew Jarvis as Moss, a terminally ill old man desperately trying to cling on to his job and the only thing he holds dear.

As the curtain rises on Matthew Wright’s impressively detailed and true to life set, the audience are under no illusion as to where they are to be spending the next two hours – the downstairs of a fancy restaurant home to those hard-working but often forgotten titular characters so integral to a restaurant’s success.

However, it is a shame that, at times, this brilliantly-crafted set is the most attention-grabbing feature of the performance, as the pace occasionally slows to one too akin to a real dishwashing environment and is only exacerbated by a lack of both character and plot developments.

Nevertheless, there are some strong performances; David Essex mostly accomplishes the balance between humour and poignancy, and his convincing stage presence is easily matched by the comically sound Andrew Jarvis, whose characterisation is nothing short of superb.

However, be it his performance or his character’s writing, there is something not quite right about Rik Makarem’s Emmett, whose potential comic moments seem mostly to fall flat and who comes across as a little irritating – but then perhaps that is the intention.

Therein lies the real problem with the play; for all its funny and challenging moments, it is hard to get a solid grip on just what Panych is trying to say.

There are most definitely comments on social class and the human condition, but unless one is really attuned to them, these slightly unclear messages may well be swallowed by the slow pace and absence of plot developments.

For those who can keep with it, The Dishwashers has some interesting insights to offer and some thought-provoking moments to think on, but unfortunately, for others hoping for more of a journey, it may well be as dull as dishwater.

The Dishwashers is currently on a UK Tour. Check out the details here: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-dishwashers/