R.O.I. (Return On Investment) by Aaron Loeb, Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 | until 11 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

Photo credit: Marc Brenner

R.O.I. (Return On Investment)

by Aaron Loeb

Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 | until 11 April 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell

“A stimulating play for today – and tomorrow.”

This is a story of our times to scare the living daylights out of us all. May (Millicent Wong) is a would-be entrepreneur out to make a name for herself encouraged by businessman Paul (Lloyd Owen) and they fine Willa (Letty Thomas), a scientist with a project that could change the world. They take it on and a battle to change the future while making themselves very rich indeed begins, except that May is the one with scruples, Paul simply wants to be very rich indeed and Willa wants to rule the world and having researched a cure for cancer to embark on dementia. To be honest I am not sure who wins and while the world of the filthy rich who actually make nothing is certainly one in which we all live – in a way it was ever thus except that the technology available has enhanced the power of those who exploit - whether it is a laughing matter is something else. But it is stylishly acted and staged, and director Chelsea Walker has kept her four strong cast hurtling around for the 90 minutes it lasts. The fourth character played by Sarah Lam is simply The Woman and who she is turns out to be the play's final surprise. The trio playing the game are representatives of all those San Francisco Bay Area venture capitalists who have made fortunes for themselves without actually, making anything. It begins just after the pandemic and moves into the future not too far from the present. Is it the shape of things to come? Perhaps. Or is it simply science fiction – except that cures for cancer and dementia are patently somewhere out there now being researched. But who is paying for it all and who will make the most money out of the search is not necessarily the finder but the venture capitalist who manipulates stocks and the subject researched is the one that has the greatest potential for money making. As for everyone else, well some of it will be good for them, some not and they can carry on viewing the way the rich live wide eyed. To be honest I ended up feeling it was all too clever by half but beautifully performed, well directed and inventively staged even if as a drama it did not quite pack the punches Loeb wanted to deliver. But Wong is magnificent as the would-be big beast venture capitalist who realises there are other things in life, Letty Thomas as the scientist with the project who proves the steeliest exploiter of all is quite chilling and Lloyd Owen's Paul is not the big beast, he thinks he is to perfection. It is quite simply a play for today – and possibly tomorrow.

Cast

Sarah Lam – The Woman

Lloyd Owen – Paul

Letty Thomas – Willa

Millicent Wong – May

Creatives

Director -Chelsea Walker

Designer – Rosie Elnile

Lighting Designer – Alex Fernandes

Composer & Sound Designer – Russell Ditchfield

Video Designer – Hayley Egan

Movement Director – Michela Miazza