The Meeting

Having recently reviewed Reuben Johnson’s exceptional Territory,
it’s fair to say I had high expectations for his new play, The
Meeting. It features Jake (Johnson), a young man whose promising
football career is over before it’s even begun when he ends up in jail for
manslaughter. Centred around the past he sorely regrets and an interview with
the murdered man’s widow that will determine his future, The
Meeting contains similar themes to Johnson’s earlier work but fails
to live up to its predecessor.

Johnson gives a noteworthy performance as the lead, and is very well supported
by David Lomax as officer Keenan and Jamie Biddle as Jake’s friend Jonny.
Unfortunately, while the writing still shows real promise, the piece is far
less polished and contains a somewhat scrappy conclusion with an easily
guessable twist. While I have no doubt that Johnson will go on to great things,
The Meeting needs further revision.

– Miranda Fay Thomas