REVIEW: 26.2 REASONS TO STAY ALIVE @ ARCHES LANE THEATRE

🎭 26.2 Reasons to Stay Alive

📍 Arches Lane Theatre, 8 Arches Lane, Nine Elms, London, SW11 8AB

🗓 Wednesday 6th May 2026

⭐️ 4 Star

MASTERING THE MENTAL MARATHON

I headed down the river last night, and honestly, even before the lights dimmed, I felt like I was winning. There’s something so undeniably "London" about strolling along the Thames path, past the iconic Battersea Power Station at dusk. It’s a cracking backdrop that really sets the scene for a night of new writing. It’s just a shame that once inside, there were more than a few empty seats in the auditorium. It’s always a bit disheartening to see that, especially when the writing is this sharp because it really deserves a full house.

Laura Mugford’s 26.2 REASONS TO STAY ALIVE at Arches Lane Theatre isn’t just a play; it’s a literal endurance test. Mugford spends the hour on a treadmill, and frankly, I was floored by her stamina. She spends the majority of the play at a fair clip, yet she never once seemed out of breath. I’m usually exhausted just looking at gym equipment, but her vocal control while pounding the pavement was nothing short of elite.

It’s particularly poignant timing, too - with the London Marathon only a couple of weeks ago, the city is still buzzing with that "can-do" spirit. However, Mugford reminds us that the road to the finish line is rarely a straight line. The play follows "Runner" as she tackles her first marathon, but the real race is through her own history.

She expertly paces the narrative, jumping back and forth through time to explore chronic illness, bullying, and hospital stays. Usually, time-hopping can leave an audience feeling a bit lapped, but here it’s seamless. You’re never lost; you’re just right there in the slipstream with her, witnessing how she incorporates comedy with real, heavy issues in a way that feels incredibly complementary.

And let’s talk about the curveballs! I can safely say I didn’t have "tap dancing to the Bob the Builder theme" on my 2026 theatre bingo card. Toss in a perfectly timed Mario Kart reference (because who hasn’t felt like they’ve hit a banana skin in life?), and you’ve got a show that refuses to take itself too seriously while still hitting you right in the feels.

This play really makes you look at life and feel grateful for every day. Mugford never wallows in self-pity with chronic illness. Instead she embraces it, and turns it into a positive. It's a life-affirming piece of theatre that makes me want to get out for an early morning run... well, almost!

It’s a heart-warming, high-energy triumph that proves staying alive - and keeping running - is the ultimate Personal Best. If you haven’t laced up your trainers and headed to Battersea yet, you’re missing out on a real front-runner.

26.2 REASONS TO STAY ALIVE continues performances at Arches Lane Theatre until Saturday 9th May. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of 26.2 Reasons to Stay Alive was gifted by Just a Regular House Productions who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY:

Laura Mugford

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour, with no interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Occasional bad language; References to bullying, chronic illness, and medical trauma

AGE GUIDELINES:

12+

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