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End
Every love story has a final chapter
Alfie and Julie's love story has been one of music, laughter, and heartache. On one early morning in June, they must write their ending.
Following the critically acclaimed Beginning and Middle, End is the final play in David Eldridge's trilogy exploring love and relationships.
This edition was published to coincide with the National Theatre production in November 2025, directed by Rachel O'Riordan (Romeo and Julie) and starring Clive Owen (Closer) as Alfie and Saskia Reeves (Slow Horses) as Julie in this touching and funny play on a life well lived.
Alfie and Julie's love story has been one of music, laughter, and heartache. On one early morning in June, they must write their ending.
Following the critically acclaimed Beginning and Middle, End is the final play in David Eldridge's trilogy exploring love and relationships.
This edition was published to coincide with the National Theatre production in November 2025, directed by Rachel O'Riordan (Romeo and Julie) and starring Clive Owen (Closer) as Alfie and Saskia Reeves (Slow Horses) as Julie in this touching and funny play on a life well lived.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 11, 2026
The completion of the playwright's loose trilogy, examining love between couples during three stages of the relationships. I read the first two and gave each of those 3 stars as well; I was hoping we'd fare better with this last offering, but alas, it suffers from much the same faults as the first two - complete with calling for pauses 'as long as you can get away with' - which I think would, in this case in particular, sap any drama from the proceedings.
The play is a two-hander about couple Alfie and Julie -both 58-years-old, together for over 30 years, but never married, although they have a 20-something daughter. The entire crux of the play is that former DJ Alfie has had cancer for about 5 years and has decided to forego anymore treatment and face the 'end' with as much fortitude as he can muster. Writr Julie wants him to try one last round of chemo, and we basically get 100 minutes of them rehashing the past while circling round and round about that issue. Although there are a few chuckles along the way, it just seems relentlessly depressing, and from the reviews, not even stars of the magnitude of Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves could make it any less dreary. Also - there is a VERY awkward sex scene (complete with her using tissues to wipe off both her own and his genitals after the act!!), which I am bewildered how it could possibly be staged.
Fun Fact - Owen and Reeves played siblings who were also lovers early in their careers in the Stephen Poliakoff film 'Close My Eyes'!!
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/202...
https://www.timeout.com/london/theatr...
https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/revie...
The play is a two-hander about couple Alfie and Julie -both 58-years-old, together for over 30 years, but never married, although they have a 20-something daughter. The entire crux of the play is that former DJ Alfie has had cancer for about 5 years and has decided to forego anymore treatment and face the 'end' with as much fortitude as he can muster. Writr Julie wants him to try one last round of chemo, and we basically get 100 minutes of them rehashing the past while circling round and round about that issue. Although there are a few chuckles along the way, it just seems relentlessly depressing, and from the reviews, not even stars of the magnitude of Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves could make it any less dreary. Also - there is a VERY awkward sex scene (complete with her using tissues to wipe off both her own and his genitals after the act!!), which I am bewildered how it could possibly be staged.
Fun Fact - Owen and Reeves played siblings who were also lovers early in their careers in the Stephen Poliakoff film 'Close My Eyes'!!
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/202...
https://www.timeout.com/london/theatr...
https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/revie...
November 24, 2025
As upsetting to read as it was to watch.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews