The Problem with the Seventh Year on at the White Bear pub/theatre in Kennington

Russell
59 minutes ago
2 min read

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A man standing on a stage set lit to look like a boxing ring. — James McGregor as Man. Photo credit: Lidia Crisafulli

“The Problem With The Seventh Year” offers a stripped-down, one-man-show voyage that begins with the visceral thrill of boxing and careens into questions of identity, sacrifice and choice. In the ring of memory and ambition, our unnamed protagonist (played by James McGregor) moves from amateur boxer to medical student to professional cutman. Along the way the show pits vocation against passion, body against mind, and self-belief against guilt. The script by Nicholas Pierpan and the direction of Paul O’Mahony give the evening a tautness that occasionally slips and which often promises to deliver real emotional punch but falls short.

Visually and atmospherically the production succeeds: a simple lighting design (Will Hayman) frames the performer in an austere space, evoking the boxing ring and inner arena simultaneously. The clever sound design (Rafaela Pancucci) is extremely effective too. McGregor is, at times, magnetic - his physical presence, controlled energy and willingness to bare emotional skin deliver substantial moments of theatre. However, there are also times where occasional stiffness prevented full immersion. The writing and pacing are a mixed bag. On one hand, Pierpan’s script is praised for its ambition and for mining the lesser-seen world of the cutman, its complexity and the raw underside of sport. On the other though, there are moments when the monologue wanders, tangents emerge, and the focus blurs.

Overall, the show is worth seeing for its guts and ambition. If the performance appeals, you’ll leave with plenty to chew over—questions about where we place value, how identity is forged or lost, and what it means to fight (in the ring and in life). And yet it doesn’t quite land at every turn. A strong showing from McGregor and a distinct voice from Pierpan: imperfect, perhaps, but compelling.

Running time is advertised as 80mins without interval and contains strong language.

Cast

James McGregor

Creatives

Directed by Paul O’Mahony.

Set and Costume consultation by Lu Herbert.

Lighting Design by Will Hayman.

Sound Design by Raffaela Pancucci.

Produced by Sarah Roy.

Presented by 19th Street Productions.

When: now until Saturday, 15 November 2025

Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.