Samuel D. Hunter's Clarkston, directed by Jack Serio at the Trafalgar Theatre, follows two young men working in a Costco store in small-town America. Chris, weighed down by his mother's illness, and Jake, carrying his own insecurities, strike up an unlikely friendship that hovers between camaraderie and something deeper. It's a story that could explore class, dreams, and the loneliness of modern life, but the writing never digs far enough to make those themes land.
The script feels flimsy and often drifts without a clear purpose. Long readings from Chris's story and Clark's journals slow the play even further, and the central relationship never fully convinces. At times, it's hard to know what the piece is really trying to say.
Performance-wise, Ruaridh Mollica is the standout, bringing warmth and vulnerability to Chris. Sophie Melville offers steady support as Chris's mother. Joe Locke, in his West End debut, struggles to bring depth to Jake, and the emotional pull between the two characters is never quite there.
Visually, the production doesn't help lift the material. Milla Clarke's bare set leaves the large stage looking exposed, and the lighting design sometimes makes it hard to clearly see the actors' faces, which adds to the sense of disconnect.
Clarkston had the potential to be a thoughtful look at love, class, and survival in contemporary America. Instead, it feels underwhelming — a play that drifts along without ever fully taking off.
It runs until 22 November. Tickets: here.
Photos: Marc Brenner