David Eldridge Trilogy: Beginning; Middle; End

by David Eldridge

240 pages, Paperback

Published February 12, 2026

Reviews

[Emma Rosina · Rating 4 out of 5]

These three plays follow three different relationships in different phases of their love. With a confronting sense of realism, Eldridge depicts the ugly parts of love that are often rejected in pursuit of what will please the reader. If anything, Eldridge attempts to antagonise his readers into understanding what comes with real love. However, the part of these plays that stuck out to me in particular were the ways that Eldridge represents the magic in the mundane. He demonstrates the way that love permeates the quiet moments of life and this was what made each play stand out to me. I was introduced to Eldridge through my British Theatre module at University, but he has since become my favourite playwright. The honesty he writes with echoes into the reception of each play for his reader.

Personally, my favourite play from the trilogy was Middle. We follow a couple who are in the midst of mid-life. Love is not as easy as it once was and comfortability has seeped into the cracks of their relationship. Gary and Maggie must look at these cracks for what they are and choose their life moving forward. I felt that the way Eldridge writes of pain and love as companions makes his piece increasingly impactful. I loved the realness of the characters and as an Essex girl myself, I could recognise the sense of home that Eldridge emitted through the small moments. I loved it.