The Habits
13 March 2025
Hampstead Theatre
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
The Habits, currently running at the Hampstead Theatre until 5th April, is a gorgeous drama that loosely uses D&D as its story vehicle. I say loosely, as the group does play fast and loose with the rules, but as they are beginner players, it does suit the narrative quite well.
A traditional fantasy role-playing game venue turned boardgame cafe out of necessity, a group of young people working through personal issues, connected through a traumatic experience, an aging role-play game enthusiast trying to hold on to memories of the past while building a future, it’s a hodgepodge mix of people engaging in an adventure that turns out to be more than it seemed on the surface.
This show is a delight for game enthusiasts and non-gamers alike, unfolding a gripping narrative of love, loss, and community. While the characters seem a little superficial at first, they get so much development and backstory throughout the show, they become well rounded, and most of all, very real people with very real issues and communication problems. The story takes a moment to get going, but once secrets and connections are revealed, it proves to be an enthralling plot that is deeply meaningful and manages to balance tension and humour wonderfully.
A mix of completely different people, in age, character, and world views, makes for great theatre through social commentary and examining different views of the same issues through multiple lenses. There is a lot of care taken to bring balance and not hammer one point of view at the expense of nuance. Wrapping so many themes of community, society, and mental health into the world of games makes for a beautifully illustrative story.
The Habits does feel rushed at times, the hour and a half run time could definitely be extended to delve a little deeper and give the characters more time to linger on the more delicate moments, though it does not feel incomplete in any way. An intense and enveloping drama that is wonderfully acted and incredibly entertaining!
