The production of Rosie Day’s play runs in the West End until the 28th April.
The Guardian: *** “For all that she rolls her eyes at her hapless parents and disappointing friends, she lets us into her confidence and memories. It’s the details of these, and Chandran’s energetic performance, that make the monologue so warm. But the well-behaved staging does not challenge her. Written as a letter and contained to the pink-lit room with simple play-by-play action, it tells more than shows, and towards the end veers into a list of feelgood platitudes.”
West End Best Friend: ***** “Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon perfectly captures the exuberance and hardships of youth. If you are young or have ever been young, this is a must-see show.”
Evening Standard: ** “I don’t doubt the sincerity of anyone involved. Not Day, who’s worked for 10 years with mental health charity STEM4. Not Staight or Chandran. Not Nimax Theatres, whose decision to schedule this show for six Sundays at the Garrick alongside the wonderful For Black Boys… epitomises the flexibility and openness they’ve brought to the West End. Teenage Armageddon is freighted with good intentions. But as drama it simply isn’t good enough.”
London Theatre.co.uk: *** “In a lively production by Georgie Straight, it’s like a snarkier Jacqueline Wilson novel, presenting serious issues with a light, personable touch.”
Theatre & Tonic: **** “This story is not just a coming-of-age tale, it comes wrapped in the biting sarcasm only teenagers can provide. It shows how bravado can only take you so far, that time doesn’t heal all storms unless you let it, and the importance of talking to others instead of bottling all your feelings inside.”
Rewrite This Story: **** “Instructions For a Teenage Armageddon serves as a cautionary tale, urging for open conversations about mental health and the importance of supporting one another. Chandran’s performance is really admirable and the show’s West End transfer is a testament to Rosie Day’s brilliant writing.”
Adventures in Theatreland: ***** “Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon is a beautiful love letter to young people, especially teenage girls, that finally allows their voice to be heard and understood. The show not only becomes a safe space for young people, but a brave space, allowing them to get in touch with their darkest confessions and deepest inhibitions and bare it to an understanding audience. Rosie Day, Georgie Staight and Charithra Chandran have created a glorious piece. “
All That Dazzles: ***** “Georgie Staight’s direction is firmly in sync with Day’s writing, finding the best ways for her effortlessly accessible writing to shine through. With Jasmine Swan’s set design centering the stage on an anonymous and fairly blank teenage bedroom, this allows for great lighting from Rory Beaton and video from Dan Light to transform the setting in increasingly and glorious ways. All of these elements allow Day’s writing, Staight’s direction, and our sole actors performance to shine through to their full potential.”
South London.co.uk: “Charithra delivered emotional moments with heart and resolve. The exploration of parental grief was particularly moving, but what truly resonated with me was the speech about her sister’s luminosity, how she wanted to be just like her. As an older sister, I connected with this type of love, and the mere idea of losing my younger sister brought tears to my eyes.”
The Reviews Hub: *** 1/2 “Despite pacing problems and elements of cliche, the issue of poor mental health in teenagers is dealt with beautiful sensitivity in Instructions For a Teenage Armageddon. It doesn’t shy away from the serious but finds enough light to leave the audience with a warming sense of hope.”
The Stage: *** “Heartfelt exploration of grief from the perspective of a teenage girl.”
London Theatre1: **** “Not always an easy watch, there’s some superb storytelling in this intriguing portrait of teenage living.”
Broadway World: *** “This iteration may not have the same verve as when Day was in the role, but allows more audience in and does the job smoothly. The leading name will attract new patrons and the brilliant writing will hook them. It’s an excellent gateway.”
Theatre Weekly: ***** “Much like Girl, Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon has gone on quite a journey, and the version we now see in the West End feels like the most polished. It manages to speak to everyone, focusing on making sure young people are not left resigned to what their fate is, and how we all have a part to play in that.”
To book tickets visit: https://thegarricktheatre.co.uk/tickets/instructions-for-a-teenage-armageddon/