Hit Machine by Jonathan Caren, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1 | until 15 August 2026. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

Photo credit: Bautista Araya

Hit Machine

by Jonathan Caren

Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1 | until 15 August  2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

“Powerful acted tale of brotherly love – and music.”

A powerful tale about sibling rivalry which erupts into violence Hit Machine is about two brothers, Wes (Josh Radnor) seven years older than Alex (Noah Galvin) who have a fraught relationship. Wes is a successful music producer living beyond his means, Alex is basically broke but has songs to sell. Add a possible singer of songs, defy the Leader (Khalil Madovi) and mixture turns explosive as the two men, victims of an abusive father, fight the battles of their youth all over again, the elder refusing to resume his role of protector, the younger one seeking help with his songs which might rescue him and also trying o restore the relationship of their youth confronted with their father.  The dialogue is sharp, the performances hold one's attention but it helps to find the music world something one can enjoy and the song when Khalil finally performs it is either a climax to the show or something one would switch off listening to after the first couple of bars and sadly that is how I would react. It did nothing for me and although the rest of the audience seemed enraptured, especially the woman with the cackle in the seat behind me who found things funny before they had finished being said, lots of it left me respecting what the players were doing and the power of Caren's writing but disengaged. Nothing will persuade me that rappers make music. Sound maybe, but never melody. But for the Soho Theatre audience this long run is possibly just the thing. There is a handsome set by Amelia Jane Hankin, the auditorium has air conditioning, the seating is good, and director Daniel Bailey sets a headlong pace for the players to keep up as the relationship between them gets ever more tense, breaks down and then is restored. The show could well live up to its title and be a hit.

Cast

Josh Radnor – Wes

Noah Galvin – Alex

Khalil Madovi – Defy The Leader

Creatives

Director - Daniel Bailey

Lighting Designer – Laura Howard

Set & Costume Designer – Amelia Jane Hankin

Sound Designer – Khalil Madovi

Movement Director – Sam Asa Prat

Music – Khalil Madovi, Ben Harper, C. J. Harper