REVIEW: THE MONOCLE @ WILTON'S MUSIC HALL

🎭 The Monocle

📍 Wilton's Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London, E1 8JB

🗓 Friday 15th May 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

PURE PERFECTION

Two years ago, I first encountered Mathieu Geffré’s masterpiece THE MONOCLE, and I’ve been buzzing for its return ever since. Last night, stepping into the legendary, historic Wilton's Music Hall for the very first time, the atmosphere was already electric. The faded grandeur of the venue provides the ultimate backdrop for this piece. We are immediately welcomed into this secret, subterranean 1930s Parisian safe space with completely open arms.

The piece builds beautifully as Alyssa Lisle, playing the bar manager, enters the stage to remove the dust sheets, physically exposing the gorgeous set of Le Monocle. The characters inhabiting this world are wonderfully varied and deeply fascinating. Mutyat Anibaba commands the space immediately as the formidable yet protective door person while Ruth Howard is brilliant as the bartender, anchoring the room's energy. Natassa Argyropoulou radiates confidence as the ultimate club regular who knows exactly how to work the room and Zara Phillips beautifully encapsulates the vulnerable, wide-eyed anxiety of a nervous newcomer. Coralie Calfond completes the ensemble, injecting a brilliant dose of high-society drama when her character - a shimmering celebrity - makes her grand appearance.

The whole production is underpinned by the glorious, haunting vocals of chanteuse Imogen Banks, who captures the era flawlessly. Alongside her, Caroline Ryan provides an integrated BSL interpreter performance, complementing the available audio description. I absolutely loved how both of them became completely immersed into the production seamlessly. They never looked out of place or awkward; they were part of the club's very fabric.

The design team has created something truly spectacular here. The set and costumes by Helen Hebert and Nate Gibson are marvellously evocative, while Rachel Shipp’s lighting design is a thing of absolute beauty. Regular readers of mine will know just how much I love a good bit of technical theatre, and I watched this in absolute awe, open-mouthed. The lighting actually extends right over the audience, completely immersing us and making us feel like exclusive club members.

This sense of ownership over the safe space makes it all the more jarring when a genuinely terrifying, nondescript outsider suddenly appears. The threat of this oppressive intruder hits you straight in the chest.

Musically, the compositions by James Keane - including three stunning original songs written specifically for the piece - are incredible. Combined with Mathieu Geffré’s stunning choreography, the show is hypnotising. I first fell in love with Geffré's work three years ago when I saw What Songs May Do... and I have been a total fan ever since. His choreographic talent is quite frankly an absolute gift to humanity. It has to be seen to be believed.

During the performance, I was almost paralysed, terrified to blink and miss a single second. It is rare indeed to sit in an auditorium where the audience is completely, utterly still, collectively letting the gorgeousness of the piece just wash over them. The illusion is never broken - even the interval becomes part of the show. Banks continues performing classic tracks while the dancers remain in character, interacting and dancing with audience members. Even if you step out to the bar, hearing those vocals reverberate around the historic timber of Wilton's keeps you entirely engaged.

The ending of this production, however, is absolutely heartbreaking. The raw combination of the lyrics, the haunting vocals, and the devastating choreography completely broke me. I am not someone who ever shows emotion in public, but I was in floods of tears. I don't think I've ever leapt to my feet for a standing ovation quite as quickly as I did last night.

The storytelling here is second to none. Nothing is overdone; every movement, lyric, and stance has an exact purpose. This show will have you belly laughing one minute and crying with pure emotion the next. My husband and I walked straight out of the auditorium, directly to the box office, and immediately booked tickets to the final two performances today. If you can snag a ticket to its final hours, do not hesitate.

Mathieu Geffré’s THE MONOCLE at Wilton’s Music Hall is an immersive masterpiece, transporting audiences to a 1930s Parisian safe space through evocative design, haunting vocals, stunning choreography, and even smell. The production, featuring exceptional performances and integrated BSL interpretation, expertly balances joy and heartbreak, offering a profoundly moving theatrical experience. As thousands promote hate and division today as they attend a far-right march in central London, the sanctuary created by Rendez-vous Dance stands as a powerful testament to queer visibility and safety.

THE MONOCLE's final soirée is happening today, with the last-ever performances of this masterpiece taking place. CLICK HERE to grab the last remaining tickets before it's too late. Believe me, you do not want to miss this. Whatever your plans are today, cancel them and get yourself down to Wilton's Music Hall.

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 The Monocle was gifted by Rendez-Vous Dance 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:

Dancers: Alyssa Lisle; Coralie Calfond; Natassa Argyropoulou; Ruth Howard; Zara Phillips; Mutyat Anibaba

Singer: Imogen Banks

BSL Interpreter: Caroline Ryan

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour 45 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Scenes of a sexual nature; Partial nudity; Chest binding; Smoking depictions; Flashing lights; Loud music; Haze

AGE GUIDANCE:

13+

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