Neil Koenigsberg’s Off the King’s Road is both a comic and poignant piece of theatre, which effortlessly captures what it is like to be lonely. Matt Browne (Michael Brandon), a recently widowed American man, visits London to celebrate his birthday. Staying in a guesthouse “just off the King’s Road”, there he meets concierge Freddie (Luke Pitman) and fellow resident Ellen Mellman (Cherie Lunghi) who is keen to learn more about Matt. Mourning the loss of his wife Betty, Matt craves human affection and seeks it out in the form of ‘Sheena McDougall’, a Russian prostitute (Diana Dimitrovici).

Brandon is brilliant in his performance as an ageing, lonely widower; his pain and his desire for tenderness is heartfelt and touching. He frequently contacts his hapless therapist Dr Kuzlowski, played by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, who manages to inject comedy into this otherwise melancholy situation. Speaking via a Skype webcam on the large television in the centre of the stage, Bridges has the audience in fits of laughter with his inability to position the webcam, leading to unflattering close-ups and at times overly revealing shots. Breathing loudly and chewing constantly as Brandon speaks to him, offering up small reassurances, his naturalistic and comedic performance is wonderfully gross and hilarious. Involving Skype adds a unique edge to the play and under Alan Cohen’s direction, Bridges character is made all the more believable.

Pitman, as Freddie the ever-polite concierge, further adds comedy and life to the play. Throughout his interactions with other characters, Pitman never stops grinning, even when incredibly uncomfortable, keen as he is to please the guests. His facial expressions are spectacular, his mouth expressing one emotion and his eyes displaying the direct opposite; when he was on stage I would always be watching to see his reactions, which were perfect. Lunghi’s characterisation of Ellen Mellman is also highly believable: I feel like we all know a slightly scatty, upper middle class woman just like her – like a former art teacher from school.

The most unexpected turn of events is the relationship between Matt and Sheena. Sweet rather than sexual, Dimitrovici proves herself a talented young actress, portraying Sheena as kind and compassionate and dispelling any preconceived ideas people may have about prostitutes. Koenigsberg’s writing here is deeply heart-warming and not something I was expecting – Sheena and Matt’s final meeting is simply lovely. The play’s ending, a final scene involving Ellen and Matt, is equally as sweet, simple and easy. Cohen’s direction of this scene complements Koenigsberg’s writing beautifully, capturing perfectly the tenderness of the play’s final moments.

Performed in a small, intimate space at the Jermyn Street theatre, the hotel room set is extraordinarily realistic, enabling the naturalism of the play even further. All in all, a wonderful play, made all the more better by great direction and great acting.

Off the King’s Road is playing at the Jermyn Street Theatre until 25 June. For more information and tickets, see the Jermyn Street Theatre website. Photo: Pamela Raith Photography