PLAY REVIEW: Invasive Species ★★★★★

From the very first moment the lights spark and the “Acting Bug” flutters into view, Invasive Species at The King’s Head Theatre grips you by the gut and never lets go. Maia Novi has crafted a darkly comic, fiercely personal story about identity, ambition, and survival — and the London production delivers it with electrifying intensity.

Novi herself is magnetic — raw, fearless, hilarious, heartbreaking. She navigates her own narrative of immigration, mental health, and theatrical obsession with such candour that you feel you’re living every internal tremor alongside her. The supporting ensemble (Kalifa Taylor, Harrison Osterfield, Max Percy, Ella Blackburn) are nothing short of sublime, transforming seamlessly between characters in a way that feels effortless and full of heart.

Michael Breslin’s direction keeps pace brisk and imaginative, making bold use of lighting, sound, and minimal set to evoke both the claustrophobia of the psychiatric ward and the dizzying heights of Novi’s dreams, and while the play tackles serious themes — mental health, cultural othering, the pressure of assimilation — it never sacrifices humour or theatricality. Its darkly absurd moments cut through the tension and give the story space to breathe.

By the time the final beat arrives, you’re left reeling, thinking, emotionally full — a sign of truly powerful theatre. Invasive Species is a triumph: bold, inventive, and unforgettable. Do yourself a favour — book a ticket, and prepare to be invaded by art in the most exhilarating way.