Roe Reviews Theatre

Being ex BOA myself, I am slightly biased but it was only a matter of time until they got the rights to the Welkin and I ran to catch this!

These young performers took the story into their stride directed by the power duo which is Laura Emery and Jade Allen. The casts switch each night but for this performance it was Cast Heavens turn with the amazing Eleanor Moody as the prisoner Sally Poppy and Poppy Bunn as Lizzie Luke.

The story is set in 1759 Suffolk in the wait for the Welkin comet to pass but much closer to home is the investigation of the death of Alice Wax and Sally Poppy’s hanging. But when it is discovered she could potentially be pregnant, 12 very different women are called into the enquiry.

BOA always do an incredible job with these hard hitting shows and this was no acception. The maturity these young performers have and the connection and collaboration they all have made the story fly with stand out performances from Amelia Smith as the ever comedic Judith Brewer, Lydia Norgrove as Sarah Smith, Olivia Mason Collins as Kitty Givens (with impeccable accent work) and Meg Turner as Sarah Hollis.

With the nature of the show double cast they intergrated the ensemble of modern day women throughout the piece in moving moments of the realisation some things haven’t changed as they hoped. This added an extra layer of heartbreak especially in the second act.

All of these young performers are impeccably talented and all have bright futures ahead of them. The Welkins final performance is this evening with Cast Sky but this week continues James Grahams Ink on the 3rd and 4th April and Animal Farm the 8th and 9th. Tickets for all of these shows and available on the Old Rep Website now