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Theatre Review: Paul Weller Takes Tea at Two – A Surrealist Ode to Music, Memory, and Mod Culture

At Riverside Studios’ Bitesize Festival, Paul Weller Takes Tea at Two emerges as a hauntingly poetic and emotionally rich piece of theatre that fuses nostalgia, surrealism, and raw human vulnerability. Written by Tony Hyland and directed by Zazi the Artist, this 60-minute production is a masterclass in storytelling that transcends time and genre.

Set at a bus stop in Maida Vale, the play follows Doc O’Connor (played with aching brilliance by Demet Dayanch), a devoted “Modette” whose daily ritual revolves around glimpsing her idol, Paul Weller, as he takes tea at two across the street. But beneath Doc’s whimsical exterior lies a fractured psyche shaped by a traumatic past—domestic violence, grief, and the lingering shadows of mental illness.

The narrative unfolds like a dreamscape, shifting between the gritty realism of 1970s and 1980s London and the surreal present of 2025. The set design cleverly blurs these eras, creating a disorienting yet evocative atmosphere that mirrors Doc’s internal world. The audience is never quite sure what is real and what is imagined, until her sister Lisa gently anchors the story in the present.

Hyland’s writing is deeply empathetic, never sensationalising Doc’s struggles but instead celebrating her resilience and passion. The play draws poignant parallels between the social unrest of the late 1970s—strikes, political upheaval, and youth rebellion—and the challenges of contemporary Britain. Through Doc’s monologues and musical interludes featuring songs by The Jam, the production becomes a love letter to the Mod subculture and its enduring spirit.

Dayanch’s performance is a revelation. She dances, skips, and mourns with equal intensity, embodying a woman who clings to music as both sanctuary and identity. Her chemistry with the actress playing Lisa adds emotional depth, echoing the sisterly tension of A Streetcar Named Desire while forging its own unique path.

The show doesn’t shy away from difficult themes—domestic abuse, mental health, and death—but handles them with sensitivity and surrealist flair. It’s a production that demands reflection, offering catharsis through its fusion of memory and melody.

Verdict: ★★★★☆Paul Weller Takes Tea at Two is a must-see for fans of Mod culture, surrealist theatre, and anyone who understands the healing power of music. It’s bold, beautiful, and heartbreakingly human.