Appraisal

An annual work review that goes horribly wrong

Tim Marriott (BBC TV's 'The Brittas Empire) returns to The Swallow Theatre after the success of 'Watson: The Final Problem' and 'Jack's Ashes', in a two-hander play performed with Angela Bull (Coronation Street, DI Ray).

Head of Department Nicky wants to get on with her job, but her boss Jo has other ideas. He has a plan and thinks she is going to like it…
​
Appraisal is a critically acclaimed dark comedy that has wowed audiences across the globe with a sharp, witty and hilariously twisted tale.

Written by Tim Marriott, Appraisal is a masterclass in subtext, manipulation, and unexpected humour.

What seems like an ordinary work review quickly turns into a comical yet chilling power struggle. Nicky is just trying to get through the meeting, but her boss, Jo, has something far more sinister — and ridiculous — up his sleeve. The situation spirals into an absurdly tense showdown that’s as funny as it is unnerving.

Having wowed audiences with sold-out performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, and New York, this two-hander play has scooped up awards including Best Actor and Best Actress at the Edinburgh Fringe DarkChat Awards, along with Best Theatre Award at Adelaide Festival.

Appraisal combines razor-sharp dialogue with dark, biting comedy that keeps audiences hooked from start to finish. ​

Performed by Tim Marriott and Angela Bull
Written and directed by Tim Marriott
Produced by Smokescreen Productions

★★★★ "A classically structured two-hander that captures the unjustifiable, often unaccountable, behaviour enabled by office hierarchies that wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere else" - The Scotsman
★★★★ "Very funny, with some wonderful linguistic thrusting and parrying - Scottish Field
★★★★ "A masterclass in gas-lighting & a masterpiece of manipulation" - Everything Theatre
★★★★★ "A battle of wits, tight, well-paced and engrossing" - Reviews Hub
★★★★★ "A terrific play, disturbingly realistic" - GlamAdelaide
★★★★★ "Intelligent & incisive... utterly captivating" - StageWhispers

Duration: approximately 60 minutes
Recommended age : 12+

Friday 17 April 2026 : 7.30pm
Saturday 18 April 2026 : 7.30pm
Sunday 19 April 2026 : 2.30pm

Tickets : £16.00
Available from https://swallowtheatre.co.uk
or telephone 01988 850368

The Swallow Theatre
Moss Park
Ravenstone
Whithorn
DG8 8DR