‘This isn’t the story of how I came second. It’s the story of someone putting me first.’
While the play may be titled Second Best, Asa Butterfield’s performance is undeniably first-rate. An intricate blend of humour, sorrow, regret, and hope, this 90-minute adaptation of David Foenkinos’s novel offers far more than its unassuming title suggests.
Presented at Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios, Second Best is a one-man show adapted for the stage by Barney Norris, with Butterfield as its sole performer. You may recognise him from The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas or Sex Education, but after witnessing his remarkable performance, you’ll come to realise that his talent has evolved beyond its already prodigious beginnings. Initially uncertain about what to expect from a play narrated by a man haunted by the loss of the role of Harry Potter, I was ultimately captivated by a production that far exceeded my expectations. Second Best is a performance that rewards repeated viewings—sharp, layered, and deepening with each pass.
Without delving into spoilers—because the emotional whiplash of Second Best is one of its most brilliant elements—this play is a masterclass in raw, brutally honest storytelling. The dialogue strikes with such precision that it commands the audience to laugh, weep, and sometimes experience both at once. In moments of devastating stillness, the play demands something rarer still: total, reflective silence.
Visually, the production is striking in its restraint. The sterile, blinding white light bathes the minimalist set, where props are few but deliberate, none more so than the cocoon of black dust that envelops Butterfield during the play’s most tender moments, creating a heartbreakingly immersive atmosphere that no film could replicate. Surround sound further envelops the audience, and the design seamlessly balances intimacy and grandeur. Though the stage may be sparse, Butterfield fills it entirely.
It’s this exceptional performance that makes Second Best extraordinary—Asa Butterfield’s transformative ability to dissolve into the character of David is so absorbing that reality begins to blur. It’s rare for a former child actor to continue evolving, but Butterfield proves it’s not only possible, but remarkable. While his career has been impressive, it is on stage—where his raw talent can be fully appreciated—that he truly shines. Despite being the sole performer, he seamlessly inhabits each character with such nuance and precision that you never feel the absence of a larger cast. He is the cast, and he is the magic in a production that is, ironically, all about Harry Potter.
Second Best is a production you should see as soon as you can. It will make you laugh, reflect, and confront aspects of your past that may be easier left undisturbed. It serves as a powerful reminder that even the most difficult moments in life shape us into who we are—and that, in itself, is something truly remarkable.
Playwright: Barney Norris (adapted from David Foenkinos’ novel)
Director: Michael Longhurst
Cast: Asa Butterfield
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Photo Hugo Glendinning
Until: 22 February 2025