Only 10 tickets sold might seem like a failure, but one could argue that’s exactly how Vonkprop’s Play Things is meant to be experienced. Small. Intimate. Like discovering something before anyone else has and knowing that you’ve stumbled upon something special. 

Introduced by the MC, Sophie Joans, as a space to “platform young artists and make more live theatre happen more often”, Play Things wastes no time in living up to that. What makes it so compelling is that it doesn’t try to hide its rough edges. The frequent unabashed mistakes or unscripted moments don’t take away from anything; rather they invite you as the audience into the performance. You are offered a glimpse into the workshopping process behind the magic of the final product, creating this space where creatives are still allowed to make mistakes and we are allowed to see them. 

There is a new line-up every night and it’s unpredictable in the best way: extracts from script readings, stand-up comedy, monologues, songs, and even clowning. The performers are seated alongside the audience as they await their turn, cheering their fellow creatives on. Sitting in the front row, it’s easy to get swept up in their camaraderie and love for their art. 

Particularly engaging to watch was Zach Esau’s stand-up piece, The Men’s Bathroom. A star in the making, he’s completely in his element on stage. His comedic timing is sharp, and he moves effortlessly through his set, completely captivating the small crowd. 

Marketed as “the most exciting showcase for new work”, Play Things lives up to that promise. It’s a space where artists test out unfinished ideas before they become full productions, and where audiences get to witness something rare: the beginning.

This is where the theatre truly embodies its purpose: not just in the final, polished performance, but in the collaborative and sometimes messy act of creation itself.

Title: Play Things
With: Various artists 
Producer: Spark in the Dark
Until: 4 April