REVIEW: SAINT JOAN @ ARCHES LANE THEATRE

🎭 Saint Joan

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

🗓 Thursday 9th April 2026

⭐️ 1 Star

KILLING TIME AT ARCHES LANE

I really wanted to like this. I truly did. A reimagining of Shaw's four-hour epic distilled into a taut 90 minutes sounds, on paper, like exactly the kind of bold, modern theatre I get excited about. Unfortunately, what I got at Arches Lane Theatre was a massive disappointment.

Everything about this production was, quite simply, poor. From the writing and the direction to the staging and acting, nothing clicked. I found myself disconnected from the piece within the first five minutes, and it never managed to pull me back in. The story just wasn't engaging; it felt like the actors had been directed to prioritise correct pronunciation over actual performance. The result was wooden, weirdly formal, and stripped of any hint of emotion.

I'm sure the cast are talented people, but this script and direction didn't show them off at all. It's probably one of the worst things I've seen in a very long time. I hate to say it, but I was bored. Had there been an interval, it's highly likely I would have left and not returned for the second act. The man sitting next to me actually gave up entirely - he fell asleep and was softly snoring through the latter half.

The staging didn't help. By stripping everything back to the bare walls of the venue, the production only succeeded in exposing its own failings. There was a clock at the back of the stage - not part of the set, just part of the room - that had ironically stopped. It became a perfect metaphor for the evening; time felt like it was standing still as I sat there willing the production to end.

Joan of Arc is one of history's most fascinating characters, but I couldn't really tell you which aspects of her life were actually covered here because my mind was constantly wandering. Every time I forced myself to concentrate and really listen, it felt less like a play and more like a dry Wikipedia summary.

I've seen plenty of amateur productions that are a much higher standard than this professional outing. A real let-down for me. I struggled to find any positives within the production. It feels like this one needs to go back to the drawing board. This could have been something truly bold and epic but struggled to even keep my attention.

As with every review, these are just my own personal feelings and views on the production. If it sounds like your sort of thing and you want to make up your own mind, performances continue until Sunday 12th April. CLICK HERE for more information and 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 Saint Joan was gifted by Matthew Parker PR 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.

CAST LIST:

Ruthie Black as Joan; James Saxby as The Interrogator

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour 15 minutes, with no interval

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