REVIEWS AND RECOGNITION
 
London Traflagar Studios March 2008

Jeremy Kingston in The Times found it "an intriguing new play with cracking dialogue and cunningly revealed character" concluding that the play, which he liked, "confirmed it's author’s growing reputation for chronicling the feel of 21st Century life".

Fiona Mountford in The Evening Standard was unequivocal when she "strongly advised anyone to take out 70 minutes to see this biting play about love" adding that "it's a delight to see so much that's right packed into such a short playing time". She felt that the play captured a "very 21st century relationship" and though she felt that "the couple may not last, the play certainly should!"

Dominic Cavendish in The Telegraph liked the play and it was again Critics Choice and praised for it's very "Contemporary feel and relevance".

The British Theatre Guide’s Philip Fisher had called it "One of the best new plays of the year" and Rivka Jacobson of the same publication also liked the play and in particular Merryn Owen’s "superb central performance" as Ben.

The Stage also felt that Merryn Owen gave as "raw and powerful a performance as you're likely to see" and urged audiences to go both for the "powerful cathartic effect and the artistry with which it's achieved."

Lloyd Evans in The Spectator had this to say: “A bust up drama that won high praise in Edinburgh. The lead character is a clever, articulate loser with an anger problem. More succinctly, he's a failed writer. Girlfriend Kat, after five years shacked up with the skint doodler, has decided to move on and has bagged herself a smooth city type. But when Kat arrives to pick up her stuff from Ben's flat he decides to stick around. This simple set up unleashes a thrilling hour of drama. It's tender and vicious, realistic and poetic, very funny and horribly, horribly true….A harrowing treat, this show, for anyone who has been dumped or has done any dumping, and wants to revisit the slow motion agonies of a dying relationship. Or is it dying? The play ends with two unexpected, and quite brilliant twists that had me gasping in admiration. Guy Retallack's direction is exquisitely judged and Paul Sellar is a writer we can cherish."
The show was Lloyd Evans’ Pick of The West End.

2007 Edinburgh Festival

One of Dominic Cavendish’s TOP TEN SHOWS in THE DAILY TELEGRAPH at the EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2007.

MERRYN OWEN - BEST ACTOR nominee for Worlds End, The STAGE AWARD FOR ACTING EXCELLENCE, Edinburgh Festival 2007 (“Merryn Owen gives as raw and powerful a performance as you are likely to see in Edinburgh this year.” Gerard Berkowitz, The Stage).

“Paul Sellar has written a wrenchingly honest, searing drama about a young couple going through an acrimonious break-up; it sounds pedestrian but the characterisation – which, Look Back in Anger-style, pits a biliously witty failing writer against a tender-hearted but thoroughly fed-up female – is bracingly detailed and has a clear, contemporary pulse of its own. Most of us have been there, at some time or other in our lives.”
Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph, TOP TEN SHOWS AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2007

“One of the best new plays in Edinburgh this year….Paul Robinson's well-judged production is built around a fantastic performance from Merryn Owen….”
Philip Fisher, British Theatre Guide * * * *

“A masterfully executed production….compelling characters….a truly wonderful cast….you should go, both for its powerful cathartic effect and the artistry with which it is achieved.”
Duska Radosavljevic, The Stage (Critics Choice)

“Is there no end to human beings being fascinated by themselves and their own relationships? Apparently not, and this is a particularly well-written example of the genre. I was gripped from start to finish. It’s a special piece of writing….especially well played by a strong cast, Ben (Merryn Owen)…and Kat (Fiona Button), a beautifully detailed and extraordinarily focused performance. Owen’s performance too is a real tour de force!....Paul Sellar’s play is as skilfully spoken and delivered as it has been written. Sad, humorous and totally believable.”
Fringereview.co.uk * * * *

“Stoppardian in its verbosity but more caustic, Worlds End is about break-ups and breakdowns….The cast are strong; Merryn Owen and Fiona Button particularly compelling. Beautifully written and sometimes painful to watch, it's a study of worlds ending, a flat stripped bare, a man at the edge and a woman who won't pick up his pieces.”
Susannah Radford, Three Weeks * * * *

“A heart-rending portrait of a relationship’s final moments…..Paul Sellar’s script is imbued with painful veracity….A decidedly uncomfortable dissection of trust and loss….”
Nadine McBay, Metro (Critics Choice)

“Paul Sellar’s Worlds End at Pleasance Dome follows the breakdown of a relationship and is entirely convincing. It features an outstanding performance from Merryn Owen as the devastated Ben, a blocked writer whose world has collapsed following the loss of beautiful Kat.”
Philip Fisher, Western Mail * * * *

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