Masterclass is a Masterclass of Writing, Acting and Directing
Susan Stanley Carrol is impressed by Tim Connery's play at The Tabard
Alex Dee and Kurt Lucas deliver gripping performances. Picture: Matt Hunter
April 18, 2026
‘Masterclass’, fluently written by Tim Connery is now playing in the Theatre at the Tabard until Saturday 2nd May. Unequivocally a 5 star hit as it ticks every criteria in the box: innovative, hilarious script, that resonates with an audience and is leavened by intensely poignant moments; the direction by Luke Adamson is terrific as is the acting from Alex Dee and Kurt Lucas.
Alex Dee plays Roger Sutherland, a significant sixties star of the stage and screen who is now at his wits end trying to earn a bob or two, ‘to put bread on his table’. And he is attempting to salvage his fast fading memory.
Dee’s performance as Roger is dazzling. He flows from being an insufferably famous star of the nineteen fifties and sixties to a mentally fragile old codger experiencing, but not recognising, the onset of dementia and the plight of his homelessness. Although the audience often rolled with laughter on the Press Night, Dee also delved into deeper, more poignant moments of Roger’s life that pulled a tear from the eyes of those in the auditorium. This is acting of immense calibre.
Kurt Lucas, as Gary Brock, plays a cocky Australian actor, striving, to beef up his waning ‘Ozzie’ acting career but getting no where fast. He had hoped to strike lucky in U.K but his career has plummeted. However, when he sees that the famous Roger Sutherland is giving a ‘Masterclass’ on the art of acting at the local primary school he eagerly attends.
The two actors meet and disagree: Gary has been indoctrinated by the works of Stanislavsky and Grotowski, two important teachers of Method acting. Whereas Sutherland’s acting style is from the school of Olivier, Gielgud, Redgrave and Richardson.
‘Masterclass’ doesn’t only concern two actors who are in dispute about ‘how to act’! Tim Connery’s script explores many issues that engage us all: the horror of dementia; a deeper understanding between the views of callow youth and those of rigid old age; how young love can blight a life for ever through the death of a still born child; how compassion can heal these formidable differences. Tim Connery’s exemplary script resonates with such issues.
The two hander goes deeper than a disagreement about acting styles. Picture: Matt Hunter
Luke Adamson’s choreographic direction elevates this two hander into the zone of physical theatre fused with the spoken word. Watch Kurt Lucas nimbly springing from floor to desk or from desk to floor. Listen to the two riveting ‘pin dropping’ pauses. Wait for the impeccable timing of ‘That Kiss’!
Masterclass’ the production is, in itself, a masterclass in directing and writing a play. As well as how ‘to act’ and capture your audience through faultless timing and a deep empathy with the character being portrayed.
The finale is beautiful: delivered eloquently by a reformed Garry Brock. It would be a spoiler if I revealed anymore.
Susan Stanley-Carroll
Performance times vary, see full schedule.
Preview 15 April – £18 all tickets. Performances 16 – 25 April £19.50/£16.50 concessions. Performances 29 April – 2 May £22.50/£19.50 concessions.
Online booking is available at the theatre’s website.
Tabard Theatre is at 2 Bath Road, W4 1LW just next to Turnham Green tube station.
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