THANKS FOR HAVING ME | REVIEW

Thanks For Having Me
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Riverside Studios, London
Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Adeyinka Akinrinade and Keelan Kember

Thanks for Having Me is a sharp, comedic take on modern romance and heartbreak at the tail end of your twenties. Who is really seducing whom? Playwright and performer Keelan Kember’s previous play, February Face, enjoyed a sell-out run at the Old Red Lion and the King's Head Theatre, was nominated for a Standing Ovation Award for New Writing, and was later optioned as a TV pilot by a production company. Thanks For Having Me was on in the Main House at King’s Head Theatre, receiving high critical acclaim before its subsequent transfer to Riverside Studios.

Modern comedy, Thanks For Having Me, gives audiences a glimpse into the intricacies of navigating the current dating landscape, adult friendships, and the impossibility of trying to have yourself figured out by age 30. Taking on the main stage at Riverside Studios, Thanks For Having Me tells the story of two housemates and best friends who have very opposing views on how to tackle relationships, or the lack thereof.

The story follows Honey (Kedar Williams-Stirling) and Cashel (Keelan Kember), as Cashel is just on the heels of a break up from his long-term girlfriend. Honey invites Cashel to move in with him and promises to distract him with a woman who can take Cashel’s mind off of ex-girlfriend, Lily. Honey and Cashel navigate their dating lives, sharing their personal takes on commitment, keeping it casual and ‘just having fun.’ The chemistry between Kember and Honey was just brilliant and the way the two orchestrated their comical scenes together was a delight.

Kember receives high praise from me for the fantastic dialogue. Thanks For Having Me is one of a handful of plays Kember has written, and it’s no surprise that he has gone on to have his TV pilot optioned. This show promises to be a laugh out loud comedy, and it delivers just that. Further, Kember’s delivery of Cashel’s lines were a true highlight for me. Additionally, Monica Cox’s direction allows the actors to make the most of the modern, warm flat that Ellie Wintour has curated on stage.


The writing was impressively fast and witty, and it is rare to be at a show where the laughs are non-stop. In this instance, that comfortable, sitcom feeling plays out surprisingly well on stage.

While I thoroughly enjoyed Cashel and Honey’s characters, I found myself wanting to know more about our female characters, Maya (Adeyinka Akinrinade) and Eloise (Nell Tiger Free). Eloise performs a monologue that is assuredly relatable for many women; however, I would have enjoyed seeing more complexity fleshed out within her character in her first scenes. Maya is the charming and relatable woman that Honey has started dating, only to find himself in muddy waters, navigating unexpected feelings for her. An especially comical scene occurs between Maya and Honey as the show nears its closing - it had myself and the audience in uproarious laughter.

I was immediately taken by the dialogue, it’s impeccably smart, fast, and well-timed. Keelan Kember has masterfully woven so many quips into the script, and especially into the character of Cashel.

Overall, the show felt like comfort food to me. It’s a relatable rom-com that gives you that same feeling as cosying up for your favorite show. Something familiar, something relatable, and something you can come back to again and again. Thanks For Having Me is a strong and poignant story that is all too relatable for those nearly 30 and over. Pop over to Hammersmith and make an evening of it while you enjoy this comical, fresh story. Now playing until 26 April.


You can book tickets to see Thanks For Having Me, here.

Review by Miranda

**photo credit: Oliver Kember**

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