Lanny at Bristol Old Vic Review
Lanny at Bristol Old Vic. Photo by Helen Murray.
The most difficult reviews to write are for shows which either feel incredible beyond words, or are best seen without any spoilers whatsoever. Lanny, this year’s flagship production at Bristol Old Vic, strongly falls into both of these camps.
Based on the 2019 book of the same name by Max Porter, Lanny follows a young married couple Jolie and Robert as they move to a tiny village near Bristol. They very quickly discover the oddities of village life, where everyone knows everyone, a mysterious past still affects the present — and Dead Papa Toothwort, who has woken from his slumber in the woods, is listening to them all.
Adapted for the stage by award-winning West Country playwright Bea Roberts and directed by Nancy Medina, Lanny is a dark and powerful blend of reality, folklore and imagination. It’s a story of belonging, curiosity for the unknown, and facing fears. But among the wacky neighbours and small village quirks, there’s a young couple trying to stay afloat when a series of strange events turns their idyllic new life into an unimaginable nightmare.
The first thing you notice is the sheer depth of the Old Vic’s stage, which seems to stretch for miles. The space is filled with what looks like thatched, barn-like buildings, and the sound of birdsong fills the auditorium upon entry. The audience is hit with a sense of wonder and calm, just in time for their senses to be overwhelmed when the lights go down with a soundscape of music and overlapping voices, and incredible projections and shadow puppetry around the edges of the set. We’re introduced to the tale of Dead Papa Toothwort, who has walked among the people for generations and has now awakened from his slumber. It’s immediately intriguing, and every creative decision works together to create an environment that feels utterly immersive.
The first act spends a little while setting the scene, getting us acquainted with the village and the small family who are the focus of the story. Jolie (Hanora Kamen) is a writer, working on her latest murder mystery novel, and is excited about a change of pace; her husband, Robert (Raj Bajaj), is slightly less inclined to quiet country life, but is willing to give it a good go while commuting to his job in the city; and Lanny (Lucian Thomas), their inquisitive son, lives in dreamland and is encouraged by his parents, especially his mother, to embrace the wonder he sees in the mundane. As they’re told stories of the village’s links to mysterious West Country folklore, and Lanny receives one-to-one art tutoring from reluctant and reclusive but also world-renowned queer artist Pete (Richard Cant), their quiet lives suddenly become a lot darker and more unsettling than they ever bargained for as they’re thrust into a situation that will change their lives forever.
The second act becomes a lot more bizarre, nightmare-like and surreal, but in all the best ways. Not a lot can be said without revealing major spoilers, but as mentioned at the start, this is a show that needs to be seen without any of those. The darker themes that seep into the second half include the effects of village gossip, negative and grossly outdated attitudes towards anyone seen as unconventional or outside the ‘norm’, and how quickly people’s opinions change when they choose to believe everything they hear on the rumour mill. It’s devastating and thought-provoking — enough to stay in your head long after you’ve left the theatre.
Where this play really shines is with its cast. Every member of the cast gives an excellent performance, with a particular spotlight on Hanora Kamen (Jolie) and Richard Cant (Pete). Both actors give electrifying performances throughout, with supercharged emotional depth and intention that helps the audience truly believe these characters are real people. Special mentions also go to Amanda Lawrence and Rose Wardlaw who both play multiple eccentric characters with boundless humour and charm, and Lucian Thomas whose professional debut as the titular Lanny feels wide-eyed, exciting and full of wonder.
Whether you’ve read the original novel or have no knowledge of the story, this is a piece of theatre that will grip you from the start and stay in your mind for a long time. Be ready to expect the unexpected, and maybe take some tissues.
Currently at Bristol Old Vic until 7th November 2026.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Written by Charlotte for Theatre and Tonic, October 2026.
