GOLDFISH at Bridewell Theatre: Fishy Gold Rush Comedy Review
A Fringe Night at the Bridewell in the Heart of the City
Anyone who has walked down Fleet Street on a damp evening knows the Bridewell is one of those places you could pass a dozen times without noticing. Tucked away on Bridewell Place near Blackfriars, the theatre has spent years quietly giving young companies a stage where they can test new writing without the pressure of the West End. For those of us who live and work around the City, it is one of the best reasons to stay out past the commute.
This week it is hosting Nina Beck’s GOLDFISH for a short run, and I went along expecting a modest evening. What I found was a play with a strange, slightly sticky charm. Set during the late 1890s Klondike gold rush, it follows a frontier town whose dwindling fortunes are revived by a miraculous talking fish. The premise is absurd, but the intimacy of a small venue suits it. You feel close enough to the stage to catch every sideways glance.
If you are planning a night here, the area rewards a little extra time. Many visitors make a day of it, pairing a show with a wander round St Paul’s Cathedral or a browse at a London museum before the curtain rises. It is a good reminder that some of the capital’s most enjoyable evenings happen away from the famous landmarks, in rooms where the seats are close and the ideas are still being shaped.
The Creative Team and Cast Behind the Catch
GOLDFISH is a showcase for writer Nina Beck, whose script takes a deliberately silly idea and tries to make something meaningful out of it. Directing the production is Guy McNair-Wilson, who deserves credit for working with a text that clearly needed more shaping. Fringe directors often have to find the spine of a play before they can build anything on top of it, and his staging keeps the energy high even when the writing wobbles.
The cast carries much of the load. Ben Keenan plays the scheming mayor Soapy Smith with a flamboyant Southern drawl that is great fun to watch, while Sam Newman’s sceptical townsman provides a useful counterweight. Ingrid Werner’s zoologist arrives with a sharp edge and a hidden history that gives the second half real tension. The younger performers, playing the townsfolk and the mayor’s young son, give the show its warmth.
For these actors, a run like this is about far more than one review. Small venues are where early careers are built, and every well-received fringe production can lead to a casting call, a new contact or a chance to work with a different team. Local audiences matter here. Word of mouth, a full house on a Thursday and a few enthusiastic reviews can make a real difference to whether these performers get their next job in London.
What Residents Should Know Before You Book
The most important thing to know is that GOLDFISH has a very limited run, so if you are curious, don’t leave it for another month. Tickets at Bridewell productions are generally affordable compared with larger theatres, and booking directly through the venue’s website is the easiest route. Seats in the front rows feel particularly close to the action, which suits a play that relies so much on physical comedy and small reactions.
Is it perfect? No. The script is uneven, and some of the jokes land harder than others. But there are enough sparks of genuine wit and a memorable central idea that it feels like the kind of piece audiences would be keen to see developed. Several people in my row were already discussing whether it could become a musical, and I’d say that is a fair instinct. Keep an eye on the company’s social channels in case a revival or extended run is announced.
For anyone wanting to make a full evening of it, the City offers plenty of options. Grab a bite near Ludgate Hill, catch a train from Blackfriars, or simply enjoy a riverside stroll before heading home. If you are new to the area or visiting, a night at a fringe venue like this is one of the most rewarding ways to see a different side of the capital. Support your local theatres while they are still here to be discovered.
Source: Review: GOLDFISH at Bridewell Theatre
Fans planning to visit London Goldfish shows will find Bridewell Theatre a lively, intimate venue well worth the trip.
Much like a royal visit to buckingham palace, GOLDFISH’s cheeky Gold Rush parody offers a playful, lavish spectacle for theatregoers seeking a laugh.
