Theatre Review: Dick. at Riverside Studios
It was a long one, but was it a good one?
Dick is a story about five friends who, somewhat confusingly, may or may not live together. On Noah’s 26th birthday, the group comes together and starts a conversation about youth. He says that now he’s "closer to 50," he reflects, “I’m 26 years old and it doesn’t rhyme with the carelessness of life anymore.”
Before we get into the review, I just have to say I found it quite funny when the announcer said, “D-I-C-K is about to start.” It felt oddly proper for a show that was clearly trying to be loose and liberal.
As someone approaching 25 myself (also apparently "closer to 50"), I found the focus on this particular age quite fascinating. The group comes across as rather chaotic, and Cleo, "the only one with a real job," stands out in a way that feels slightly disconnected from the wider experience of being young today. The idea of a quarter-life crisis isn’t new, but the portrayal of a group with no clear direction or ambition felt a bit odd in today’s world, where many people in their mid-twenties are already thinking about housing, career paths or at least trying to piece things together. None of the characters seemed to have much purpose, which made them harder to relate to. I wonder if it might have been more convincing had it focused on characters in their early twenties, when the idea of moving to Germany for a bit still feels like an exciting adventure, rather than something you're meant to have grown out of.
One of the most distinctly Gen Z elements of the play was probably the use of props and costumes. It opened with a rave-like setting, setting the tone for the hedonism that followed. The constant costume changes worked well as transitions and helped reflect each character’s personality, even when the plot started to unravel.
And the plot really did take the audience on a journey. In Act One, the scene between Bailey, Ruby and Noah stood out as a highlight. Bailey’s calm and deliberate delivery made you stop and think about boundaries, particularly in sexual relationships. Then came Act Two, and it felt like a completely different show. I genuinely wondered if I’d come back late from the interval (I hadn’t). The mood shifted from witty and chaotic to something far heavier, with Ruby clearly fighting an internal battle. Bailey, who had been a favourite, suddenly became unbearable. Her monologue about no one growing old with her felt self-centred rather than supportive. That said, the silent scene between Ruby and River was beautifully done. It stood out in contrast and left space for something more powerful.
It’s worth noting that the production ran for 150 minutes, and the second act’s sudden shift didn’t quite earn that extra length.
All in all, Dick offers an interesting take on youth and deserves credit for exploring taboos and emotional boundaries. Still, as a Gen Z theatre-goer, I was left wanting more. More clarity, more grounding, and more to connect with than just a story about a group of misfits drifting.
Rating: 3 stars: An experimental play that explores taboos and boundaries in bold ways, but the lack of character development makes it hard to fully connect.
Venue: Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline St, London, W6 9BN
Dates: 18 - 25 June 2025
Tickets: £18 / concessions £15, for more information, visit: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/dick-178133/