Personal Values at Hampstead Theatre Review
Archie Christoph-Allen as Ash and Rosie Cavaliero as Bea in Personal Values. Photo by Helen Murray
Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Grief is a universal experience yet the conundrum of humanity means that we all experience its impact in different forms. How societally acceptable these forms are is a completely different topic that Personal Values does well to open up. In this debut play of writer Chloe Lawrence-Taylor and directed with laser nuance by Lucy Morrison, we see a potent tale of mental illness, sisterly connection, grief and resilience.
Veda (Holly Atkins) and Bea (Rosie Cavaliero) are two long estranged sisters who fall out after the emotionally charged funeral of their father. Bea is a virtual shut in struggling with severe hoarding to the extent she cannot travel anywhere in her house bar one room and the stairs are completely consumed in clutter. This hoarding began with the death of her mother and increased in tandem with the father’s illness and eventual death. Bea shuts herself away from any human connection and is too embarrassed for anyone to see her home yet unable to seek help to manage it. Veda is the one who “got out” of the house and escaped into marriage and motherhood although is not particularly happy with either role. Veda is suffering from an unnamed terminal illness and wants to rescue her sister from her hoarding before it’s too late. The tension between the two is remarkable, flowing with frustration and connection and firing fierce zingers the way only siblings can. The two actresses are magnetic to watch in their heartfelt discussion and the range of emotions they effortlessly invoke was absorbing to watch.
The flow of the play’s writing isn’t always clear, especially with the implied supernatural elements, but the thread of sisterly connection is cleverly woven throughout. Much of the play is also about the concept of releasing generational trauma, especially with the father’s inability to move on from his loss and turning into Mr Havisham, and the importance of breaking cycles. Veda is very concerned that when she goes her son Ash (Archie Christoph Allen) will turn into another Bea due to his quiet withdrawal into his online relationships and solitary confinement to his room. This deliberate breaking of cycles is shown when Ash is introduced at 45 minutes and the similarities in mannerisms and understanding of the world is subtle but clear. However, it’s sometimes easier to make changes to help another not become you than for your own sake and the development of their relationship in the last 20 minutes and mutual grief and resilience was poignant and empowering to see.
Allen is wonderfully awkward and sincere as Ash, masterfully poised in his portrayal of teenage grief and vividly striking to watch on stage. The set (Naomi Dawson) is also absolutely incredible. The impact of this set is also far more powerful in the downstairs space, as its smaller size really demonstrates the severity of the issue far more powerfully than a larger set would. It utilises every inch of space to the greatest effect, including prophetic lighting and is a very realistic depiction of a hoarders house.
This play is a very vivid depiction of how grief and humour intertwine and the heartbreaking reality of seeing loved ones suffer from hoarding and pain. It is one of the most realistic depictions of grief overtime I have ever seen on stage and perfectly encapsulates the uniquely British ironic humour we use to find communicate with families and understand unpleasantries. The minute details are immaculate and the micro hesitations and frustrated awkwardness is vividly portrayed. This play also firmly condemns the reality tv shows which profit off of the pain and embarrassment of vulnerable individuals and shows the huge emotional trauma and embarrassment that those who hoard struggle with.
The Hampstead Theatre is well known for championing new writing and this play is an incredibly high quality which stands firmly above many of the “safer topic” plays that are emphasised in our current theatrical palates. It’s fresh and deeply invigorating with a superb element of pathos and deliberate empathy, not sympathy. At 1 hour running time this play is the perfectly satisfying experience without overloading the audience and does not overly stretch out its very salient points.
This is a beautifully powerful and poignant play that reflects upon mental health in a empathetic way and leaves a sign of hope at the end for us to wish the characters find ways to cope with their grief in healthy ways. It’s not the easiest of watches, especially if you know those who struggle with grief or hoarders but it is an important contribution to the debate in theatre, opens up the topic without fear and is a powerful conversation starter amongst the audience. If you enjoy British humour, discussions of mental health and the power of resilience and family connection then this is the play for you.
At Hampstead Theatre until 17 May 2025
★★★★
