Enter Joanie, an 80-year-old actor who has just popped her clogs mid performance during a rendition of ‘Que Sera, Sera’. But for us as the audience, the real show is just beginning. In the afterlife Joanie meets her spirit guide, Pam – a cheerful no-nonsense guru with a mission to help Joanie reflect on her time on earth. Pam reveals she’s been sending Joanie dream after dream (over 1,000 in fact) attempting to steer her towards a more fulfilled existence, but Joanie, with a dramatic shrug exclaims she hasn’t a clue what Pam is talking about.

Pam soon shifts us away from Joanie’s past, introducing Eva – a young actor Joanie encountered years before at a cabaret night. Along with Joanie, we’re puzzled why Pam is replaying this moment, but as we dive deeper into Eva’s story, a hidden sense of connection and meaning begins to emerge, reshaping Joanie’s perspective on life. 

END GAME takes a little while to find its rhythm with an opening that feels focused on exposition, which slightly delays the narrative momentum. However, once Pam begins unpacking Joanie’s life, the pace picks up. While the shift in focus to Eva adds an intriguing layer to the story, it does mean we spend less time with Joanie and it’s hard not to miss her presence when she steps offstage and into the wings to witness the action. Reddin-Clancy injects humour and warmth into Joanie’s character, charming the audience with sharp timing and cheeky remarks. Her transitions into all the characters are slick and skilful, expertly communicated through a change in posture, a different accent and assisted by various wigs, headpieces and costumes that help determine each individual and their personality – there’s never a doubt about which character she’s playing. 

Reddin-Clancy is a fantastic performer – a pro at building a rapport with the audience and owning the stage with a captivating energy. END GAME is not only entertaining, but philosophical in message, encouraging us to reflect on our own life choices and the signs we often don’t see or ignore.

Catch Joanie and the gang in END GAME on 31^st May at Ironworks Studios, 2pm at Brighton Fringe. Tickets available here.