Roe Reviews Theatre

Criterions second show of 2025 is the intensely moving story of a community processing the death of one of their youngest and the debate that occurs between the church, the family and the wider nosey on lookers (Emma Padfeilds Janet Oram) with opinions of their own. The show had really strong performances all round from Criterion regulars and newcomers alike in this soap opera of storylines with deep character lore and backstory for each one brilliantly directed by Helen Withers and Jean Firth.

Set in the church of respected vicar David Hyland (Bill Butler) he becomes the centre of arranging the young girls funeral and the feuds that occurs between between the grieving family Lee and Tina Southbury (Connor Bailey and Caroline Spencer) and his reputation of the church, community and his family (Christine Evans, Kelly Davidson and Hadessa Ramjee). When times aren’t hard enough Pete Gillam’s Craig Collier -trainee vicar- comes into the scene to assist and gives a new perspective in more ways than one.

While the performances all around were incredible and the story was really moving, the writing itself by Stephen Beresford felt in parts confusing and didn’t see enough of some storylines for them to be fully resolved, especially with my some of my favourite characters. The second act in particular was a rollercoaster of emotions with reveals and twists in every direction but with not enough set up in the writing, it felt too much of a divide from the main story. The ending itself didn’t leave a dry eye in the house but I still left with more questions than answers but could just need one more read on my part!