Farah Najib's Maggots is a three‑hander set in Laurels House, a London block of flats where a strange smell begins to spread. The play follows a group of neighbours who all deal with their own worries: growing older, feeling lonely, coping with loss, and trying to get by in a city that often feels too busy to notice them. As the smell gets worse, it becomes a sign of how cut off people can become, even when they live close together.
Najib creates a situation that feels real and easy to recognise. The play shows how common loneliness is in big cities and how difficult housing can be. Although the story takes place in London, the themes feel familiar to anyone who has lived in a crowded place where people often keep to themselves.
The design by Caitlin Mawhinney is simple and flexible. A sofa, a few chairs, and flowers above the stage create a space that can shift from one flat to another without fuss. The plain set keeps the focus on the actors and the story, and the flowers act as a quiet reminder of things that are left to fade when no one looks after them.
Jess Barton's direction uses a clear storytelling style. The three performers — Sam Baker Jones, Safiyya Ingar, and Marcia Lecky — step in and out of different roles and guide the audience through the story. They do not fully become each character. Instead, they tell the story together, almost like friends sharing memories. This means the show does not aim for natural, realistic scenes. Some audience members may want more emotional depth, but the approach fits the structure of the play.
The cast works closely as a team. They pass the story between them smoothly, support one another, and keep the pace steady. Even though the format gives them limited space to build detailed characters, they bring warmth, humour, and clarity to the piece. Their teamwork is one of the strongest parts of the production.
Maggots is a thoughtful look at what it means to live near others yet still feel alone. Through simple staging and shared storytelling, the play asks how well we really know the people around us — and what might change if we paid more attention.
It runs until 28 Feb.
Review: Marquise Horton Photo: Ross Kernahan
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