Bread & Roses Theatre 7 – 11 February. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
Natalie Audley’s new play is a little gem. Family dynamics are always rich pickings for writers, and Audley has created a credible love-hate relationship that will strike a chord with the audience.
The two very different sisters come together the night before Abbie’s wedding. Big sister Juliet thinks Abbie is making a mistake marrying the sexist, downright unpleasant Luke, and so the verbal sparring begins. Insults, judgements and recriminations are thrown back and forth with perfect timing, full of witty zingers that reveal the strong loving bond between the sisters. Their responses when they each think they’ve made the other cry are sweet and laugh out loud funny, but the comedy never becomes cartoonish – the dialogue and situations are all extremely credible.
Juliet is a proud non-conformist, conforming EXACTLY to the stereotypical image that conjures. Her own relationship is on the rocks, and she hides behind pronouncements about her moral principles when Abbie questions her. Meanwhile Abbie has always dreamed of a beautiful wedding, is obviously just settling for Luke and a comfortable life, and still has feelings for ex-girlfriend Erin.
Emily Amber is a wonderfully strong and spiky Juliet, and Charlie Lees-Massey’s Abbie is a delight – veering from blind panic to calm self-delusion with consummate ease. Their onstage chemistry is fantastic, bringing a true feeling of sisterhood.
During the short running time the sisters brutally and brilliantly psychoanalyse each other, and it becomes clear that all they want is to fix each other’s lives. Audley’s script is tight and smart, and the ending will make you want to cheer, and hope for a sequel – perhaps based around a homebirth? Please?