York Theatre Royal – until Sun 3rd August 2025
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4****
York Theatre Royal and Riding Lights Theatre Company are once again collaborating to bring to stage a brand-new play, His Last Report, under the direction of Juliet Forster and Paul Birch. This large-scale community production, written by Misha Duncan-Barry and Bridget Foreman, centres around the renowned York Rowntree family, to be more precise the lesser known Seebohm Rowntree.
Rowntree’s is well known for its sweets and chocolates, and to this day you can still smell the chocolate in the air, even though the name on the factory has long since been changed. This production does not centre around the family business, though that is a part of the show, what it is primarily about and what I did not know, until I saw this show, is what an impact that Seebohm, with his family, had on social reform. He made a difference, paving the way for fair wages, health and education for all in York.
Seebohm documents and produces his first report on the poverty in York, but he doesn’t stop there. With family land and wealth, a new village was acquired, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation was formed. New homes were built for working people on low incomes, providing a community hub, with plays, pageants, exercise and wellbeing at its heart.
Led by two professional actors, Anthony Jardine as Seebohm and Ameila Donkor as Gulie Harlock, his “Private Secretary and Jack of all Trades”, a huge community ensemble of over 80 local people appear on the stage throughout the show. Jardine’s monologues captivated the audience with their intensity, particularly during the first act, making for an unforgettable theatrical experience. The performances delivered by both lead actors were absorbing to watch.
Costume designer Hazel Fall and her team of volunteer dressmakers, capture the period superbly. Sara Perks’ set design, featuring a balcony and sizable windows, serves as a nod to the original Rowntree’s factory. The use of props is particularly effective, with mobile door frames cleverly employed to advance the storyline.
I was totally gripped in the first act, learning about the history of Seebohm and his impact on social reform. I had hoped to learn more during the second act, but I found it somewhat lacking. The opening scene following the interval features the cast engaged in a rehearsal, though it’s unclear whether this added much to the overall performance. I also found the time travel aspect in the second act a bit challenging to follow, though it did prove a talking point whilst chatting about the show afterwards. The finale brings the production’s full force to life, as the entire cast and the live choir come together on stage, creating a truly powerful and memorable moment.
With over 250 volunteers working on stage and behind the scenes, it is a true testament to the sense of community that Seebohm aspired to. This year marks 100 years since the death of his father, Joseph Rowntree, so it is fitting that this production is on the York stage now. The Rowntree Society are hosting talks, exhibitions and events throughout the year.
This show reminds us that the battle for social justice is ongoing. This story is truly inspiring and I for one will be delving more into Seebohm and the Rowntree’s history. The legacy of Seebohm Rowntree’s work resonates in the present, urging us not only to remember the achievements of the past, but also to address inequality in our own communities. What more can we do to address the issues of poverty today?
York Theatre Royal are masters of producing these large community show and they don’t disappoint here. This is a celebration of shared humanity and a true sense of community.