Review: Candy, White Bear Theatre - drug-fuelled love story
06/06/2025
Love is a drug, we are told, but what about love when you are on drugs? Adapted from Luke Davies's semi-autobiographical novel (which has also been a film), this is Candy's second stage outing, having debuted at the Old Red Lion last year.
That production had three actors; this has become a two-hander with Freya James playing Candy and Ed McVey playing Dan, as well as a few other characters.
Candy is an art student in Sydney and meets Dan. They fall in love, and Candy wants to experience what Dan experiences, which includes taking heroin. It takes only a little persuasion for Dan to show her the ropes, and the path is set.
Their love is a constant, unlike their resolve to get clean as they rollercoaster towards increasing dependence and a need for bigger hits to reach the same highs.
Candy (the play) is a heart-shaped, drug-addiction story compared to other famous narratives such as Trainspotting, but it isn't without its grim and dark moments.
To make money to pay for drugs, Candy turns to prostitution, and pregnancy doesn't prove to be the motivator to stop the couple had anticipated.
Dan's contribution to the relationship is his love and the promise that he will grow and sell weed to support them. Candy certainly seems to have got the rum deal.
The drug-taking highs and lows are cleverly portrayed through movement. Scenes are interspersed with Candy and Dan taking turns to directly address the audience, sharing their thoughts on what is happening.
But this technique isn't quite as revealing as it could be. Luke Davies' book is told through the eyes of an unnamed narrator, the 'Dan' of the story, which only gives one perspective on the relationship.
He is a drug-addled observer of what is happening to Candy, who is far more active in supporting their lifestyle and to whom far more happens. We learn of her mental health breakdown, but it feels as if there is more to that story that doesn't get explored here.
It is only a short play - 75 minutes - and a lot happens in that time, so it rattles along as a well-done, drug-enhanced love story. However, it left me wanting to know a little more about what was going on beneath the surface.
I'm giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half stars.
Candy, White Bear Theatre (Kennington)
Written by Luke Davies, adapted by Freya James and Kate Elliott
Directed by Kate Elliott
Starring Freya James and Ed McVey
Running time: 75 minutes, no interval.
Booking until 14 June; visit the White Bear Theatre website for more details and to buy tickets.
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