The Uncrackable Case

If you've ever sat through a courtroom drama and thought, “Could this be...punchier?”—well, The Uncrackable Case dances right up that line. It’s intermittently serious, occasionally pantomime-level goofy, and maybe it could benefit from choosing a side… but then again, maybe the confusion is part of the charm?

The direction by Olivia Race is solid but not awe-striking. At times, the staging felt slightly muddled—like the show was trying to spring surprises but forgot the map. Still, there were definite “Aha” moments worth noticing.

Choreography is again, serviceable but not the stuff of legend. One moment it’s dramatic and deliberate, the next it’s all merry, pantomime-style silliness. Those swings are cute, but a more consistent tone might sharpen the impact.

Set Design by Celia Perkins is a mixed-strengths board. The setup—a central platform with staircases on both ends and courtroom stands—works visually. The whimsical, childlike panto vibe is charming… but doesn’t overshadow how contextually disjointed the vibe can feel.

Lighting by James Clare is functional. A lot of gentle washes—nothing headline-stealing, but you weren’t left wishing for more. It did its job well enough to keep eyes on the stage. Sound by Bay Bryan is pretty solid. Volume levels were spot-on and kept the audience connected throughout.

The script by Jamie Walsh ( with credit to Olivia Race as co-creator) Is where the show’s personality wrestles with itself. When it embraces pantomime whimsy, it’s delightful. But in the “serious drama” corners? It gets tangled. Leaning more into its quirky, childlike side might help the tone match the energy.

Music (Bay Bryan & Claire O’Connor) was pleasant, tuneful, varied—but none of the songs punched their way into your brain to stick around. A little earworm magic would go a long way.

Performances were efficient and neat. With just four actors juggling multiple roles, they showcased impressive precision. Yet, as with the script, their delivery felt like it was caught between “dead serious” and “playfully pantomime,” which led to a bit of emotional disconnect—particularly when the plot threw in a curveball near the end. The shock moment was there, but the audience maybe didn’t care enough by then.

The Uncrackable Case is like a genre-blender that works best when it’s not trying to serve conflicting tastes at once. If this production leaned fully into its pantomime-style roots—got cheekier, looser, and more outrageous—it might pause the confusion and crank up the charm. But there’s plenty of fun to be had here, so don’t skip it.