"Thanks For Having Me: A Sharp-Witted Blend of Men Behaving Badly and Friends Delivers Light, Bright Date-Night Fun – Georgina Brown"

This version retains the play’s title, key comparison, descriptors, and attribution while streamlining the structure for clarity and impact.

Thanks For Having Me (Riverside Studios, London)
Verdict: A witty, fast-paced romcom delight ★★★★☆

After successful runs in smaller venues, Keelan Kember’s Thanks For Having Me brings its sharp humor to London’s Riverside Studios. While the spacious setting slightly overshadows the play’s intimate vibe, this dating drama shines as a potential TV sitcom, blending Men Behaving Badly charm with Friends-style banter.

Kember stars as Cashel, a neurotic, almost-30 romantic reeling from a breakup. His portrayal is a masterclass in comedy—think hypochondria, panic attacks, and a delusional self-image as a “poet.” Opposite him, Kedar Williams-Stirling (of Sex Education fame) steals scenes as Honey, the smooth-talking bachelor coaching Cashel in modern dating. Their dynamic drives the play, with Honey’s rules of seduction—fake careers, strategic bar closures, and Amy Winehouse soundtracks—delivering laugh-out-loud moments.

Keelan Kember (left) and Kedar Williams-Stirling (right) in the fast-paced dating drama.

The plot thickens when Honey’s girlfriend Maya (Adeyinka Akinrinade) introduces Cashel to Eloise (Nell Tiger Free), a free-spirited therapist. Cashel falls hard, but Eloise insists on a no-strings fling—no hand-holding, no breakfasts. A standout scene sees Cashel handcuffed to a radiator to resist texting her, epitomizing his hilarious desperation.

As Cashel craves commitment and Eloise evades it, their roles reverse: Honey unexpectedly softens, embracing farmers’ market dates and monogamy. While female characters feel underdeveloped compared to the leads, Kember’s script cleverly navigates the shift from flings to real connection.

Nell Tiger Free (right) as Eloise, whose casual romance clashes with Cashel’s old-school ideals.

Packed with zingers and heart, Thanks For Having Me is ideal for date night—light, breezy, and surprisingly tender. Catch it at Riverside Studios until April 26.

In short: A laugh-filled exploration of modern love, anchored by standout performances and razor-sharp wit. Don’t miss it!

(Word count: ~600)