←Recommendations of The Holding Cell

The most powerful force in this play is not just the suspense of what happens and what will happen, but the internal struggle that both the lead characters have in recalling the events, building the tension to the very end. One of John Busser's hallmarks is his ability to use that power to write comedy, but in this play he uses it for a tale that would make Alfred Hitchcock get out of the business. Shades, too, of Edgar Allan Poe and O. Henry. What a gut-punch.

This is a wonderfully suspenseful one-act from John Busser. The play pulls you in on page one and Busser skillfully builds the tension until the surprising climax, featuring an excellent tilt. The actors will love playing these leads as they play out the slow-build status shifting. Lighting & sound designers will have a field day creating the increasingly unsettling world inside Busser's The Holding Cell.

"The Holding Cell" is a gripping thriller that masterfully blends crime, guilt, and the supernatural into a haunting meditation on accountability and the consequences of violence. John Busser builds relentless tension through sharply drawn characters and a devastating final revelation, delivering an unforgettable play that lingers long after the lights fade.

07/05/2026 - Wow! I thought I had a faint idea of where this piece was going, only to be pleasantly proven wrong! An incredibly gripping premise, great characters, and a twist (or twists) that few will see coming. Would love to see actors bring this to life and would love to see this with an unsuspecting audience!

[2026-07-04]

'The Holding Cell" is a tense, intriguing slow burn of a play as these two women, thrown together seemingly at random, discover why they are in the cell at the same time. John Busser's pacing, language and stage directions feed the dramatic tension, ensuring the audience will be leaning forward the entire time.

This gripping two-hander grows eerier and eerier as the story progresses. It offers a riveting portrait of a complete unravelling. It's impossible to say more without introducing spoilers. Suffice it to say that the build from funny beginning to horrific ending is executed brilliantly.

Mr Busser is one if my favourite comedy writers, but occasionally he throws in a sombre curveball, and just as brilliant. Rather uncomfortable audiences will find themselves in this holding cell with these two ladies as they figure out what bought them here. As the recent events unfold, there's a point when the audience will say 'Ohhhhh...'
No spoilers here, but this is so good and so many questions left unanswered. Brilliant.

What a wonderfully tense play. A fantastic look into these two characters and their relationships with honesty and vulnerability. The twist at the end that freezes you in place. Captivating read!

A dynamic two-hander. Dark. Compelling. A horror story about true human evil, with page-turning revelations down its homestretch!

An intense two hander that will keep you guessing the whole time. Busser builds the tension with master proficiency and the payoff at the end will leave you stunned. A powerful one act.