Eye of a Needle (Southwark Playhouse)

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the curtain at UK Immigration Control? An undoubtedly must see show, Chris MacDonald‘s contemporary tale is spun into a poignant and hilarious production at the Southwark Playhouse by director Holly Race-Roughan.

With stand-out performances from caseworker Ted (Stephen Hudson) and Ugandan immigrant Natale (Ony Uhiara), Eye of a Needle showcases the cold bureaucracy that seems to dominate the asylum granting process. This is mirrored artfully by the bleak office and gents toilet set, stark overhead lighting and staccato movement sequences – not to mention the slightly jarring repetition of ringing phones upon entering the Playhouse performance space.

This bleak cycle of rejections and protocols contrasts wonderfully with the particularly harrowing, heart-rending tales of the gay immigrants seeking asylum, the legitimacy of their sexuality left not only to the caseworkers to tactlessly determine – but the audience ourselves, with a few interesting and surprising twists.

Darkly amusing, Race-Roughan ensures that Eye of a Needle is inherently comedic, the performances fantastically naturalistic as the characters navigate their way through the shortfalls of the corporate world. Facing under-staffing, overworking and repercussions from the bosses and the national media, the newest caseworker Laurence (Nic Jackman) is forced to confront his own questions of conscience – keep his job and fund his weekend partying, or take a risk and help a woman in need?

Well staged and with excellent performances throughout, Eye of a Needle is a brilliant commentary on a perversely and intensely bureaucratic British society, and the struggles of those who need our asylum the most. A surprisingly funny, and fantastic show.