Erstwhile is a thoughtfully constructed short play that balances wit with an underlying sense of reflection and consequence. Philip Middleton Williams uses polished dialogue and an inventive premise to explore questions of privilege, identity, and accountability, creating an engaging two-hander that is both entertaining and quietly resonant.

04/03/2026 -Wow! This play went in a multitude of directions that I was not expecting, and I absolutely loved it! What begins with two men crossing paths in a park (reminiscent of Waiting for Godot) turns into something much more with the revelation of secret connections as well as a variety of twists that keep building off each other in a believable and engaging way. A lot of suspense, humor, and even some history of the British Royal Family, Phillip's "Erstwhile" is a real winner!

This crown jewel of a play turns a different facet when we realize who we are actually watching in Philip Middletown Williams' ERSTWHILE. We haven't heard this story yet. As these two unemployed men discuss freedom, we are also parsing their lives only to find they don't even have each other. A thoughtful, quiet play that is the wrapping on the most exposed lives. Nicely done.