A roundup of reviews for Nicola’s new play!
The Playboy of the Western World plays in the Lyttelton Theatre until February 28th, and will premiere in cinemas on May 28, 2026 with National Theatre Live. While a date has not been announced yet, the production will likely eventually be available for streaming on National Theatre at Home.
She gives a thrilling performance. Vain and opinionated, she tries hard to resist the stranger’s allure with upfront wariness – but even her fiery feistiness bends. She’s gripped by his stories, but doesn’t fawn over him (unlike the other women in the cohort, helmed by the impressive Marty Breen as Sara Tansey, who bring him food and treat him like a modern rockstar). Pageen taunts him at regular intervals, asserting her dominance. Coughlan adds humanity to her armour with secret looks and quick covetous glances from across the room. Her rivalry with Widow Quin (McSweeney) materialises in the doubling down on her apparent distance. – Broadway World
The Guardian
Time Out
Broadway World
New Statesman
The Times
Financial Times
Whats On Stage
London Theatre
The Standard
West End Theatre
All that Dazzles
The Independent
The Stage
The Arts Desk
The Reviews Hub
West End Best Friend
South London
The i Paper