On 21st October 1966, shortly after 9am, a catastrophic landslide of black coal slurry killed 116 children and 28 adults in the Welsh village of Aberfan. One week after the 60th anniversary of this horrendous day, The Revlon Girl has opened at Park Theatre, having originally been performed at the venue in 2017. Based on true events, the action takes place eight months after the disaster, and the memories are still very much fresh in the minds of those left behind.
We meet four of the bereaved mothers who gather above the Aberfan Hotel every Tuesday night to find solace in spending time together. One evening, a representative from the makeup company Revlon arrives, having been secretly invited to give the mothers a talk on beauty tips. This paves the way for a compelling 90 minutes, as the women share their concerns and responses to their grief, joined by “an outsider” who has her own reasons for wanting to come and help them.
The cast is one of the strongest I’ve seen at Park Theatre. The mothers are all very different, but are united in grief and, amidst the difficult conversations, find joy and laughter together at times. Sian is the instigator of Revlon’s visit, keen for the evening to go well. Charlotte Gray brings the right level of humour to the role, whilst masterfully conveying her character's pain. Hedydd Dylan gives a heart- rending performance as Maralyn, who is introverted and deeply troubled by the disaster. Mirain Haf Roberts as foul-mouthed, sharp-witted Rona is tough on the surface, but hides deep heartbreak. Jean, played by Llinos Daniel, is the wife of a church minister and sees herself as a pillar of the community. Seemingly uptight at first, we slowly gain insight into the complex emotions she carries, having lost a son in the disaster, but now expecting another child. Completing the cast is Antonia Kinlay as Revlon. Initially appearing out of her depth, her presence soon leads to conversations and altercations that ultimately allow the mothers to reconnect with one another.
The small space of Park90 is barely set, aside from some wood acting as a door frame to the function room, a table and some chairs. Neil Anthony Docking’s writing paired with the first-class acting from the cast means not much else is needed for the audience to be transfixed.
The Revlon Girl is one of those plays that stays with you long after it finishes. It sensitively deals with the human impact of such an awful event, exploring tough themes and questions, whilst finding unexpected light and humour. Deeply moving and captivating, this really is a play that needs to be seen.
The Revlon Girl plays at Park Theatre until 14 November 2025.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Written by Emily for Theatre and Tonic, October 2026.
