This is My Family at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant) Review
Michael Jibson (Steve), Gemma Whelan (Yvonne), Gay Soper (May) and Nancy Allsop (Nicky). Photo credit: Mark Senior
Written by Penny for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Tim Firth has an impressive array of writing credits to his name, including the films Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots and the musical Greatest Days (originally The Band), featuring the music of Take That. Written in 2013, This is My Family was his first solo musical. It premiered at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre before a UK tour and won the UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical. It has now been brought to London for the first time for a limited run at Southwark Playhouse. It’s described as a “hilarious and uplifting story of a disastrous family holiday that eventually brings the family together”.
So, how would you describe your family? If the reality is a bit of a nightmare, nobody could blame you for making up the ideal, right? And if describing that ideal family wins you the dream holiday of your choice, you’d go somewhere dead exotic, right? Thirteen year old Nicky finds herself in exactly this situation but her choice of holiday sends her dysfunctional family on a trip down Memory Lane that she hopes will get their relationships back on track.
Firth’s script, on the surface, could be taken from a cosy TV sitcom about a typical family – insecure Dad, frazzled Mum, cantankerous gran, son full of teen angst – they’re all there. It’s peppered with witty observations and relatable quirks, creating a story that feel familiar but, at the same time, it’s completely original. Scratch that surface and, beneath the bickering and banter, it packs a real emotional punch. Gran is suddenly not just a burden, she’s vulnerable, fragile and struggling to cling on to her memories. The family bond is damaged but not beyond repair and we’re all behind young Nicky as she tries to fix it.
The songs, under Music Supervisor Caroline Humphris and Musical Director Natalie Pound, help to tell the story rather than seeing characters step out of the action to give us a belted torch song about their inner thoughts and feelings. The lyrics are witty, often overlapping, as the actors share their observations and gripes – moving from a comedy number comparing sex in a relationship to driving a car to a bittersweet and heartfelt lament about memory loss. Although entertaining, they are not instantly memorable. But, by the time we reach the second act, the recurring reprises of the title song and Gran’s soothing lullaby are both familiar and poignant.
The set, designed by Chloe Lamford, draws us into the family’s claustrophobic family life, with the transition to holiday camp site very cleverly done, a comic reflection of the character relationships that are in danger of falling apart. Sound and lighting from Dominic Bilkey and Lee Curran take us from the sights and sounds of a suburban neighbourhood to the rain-drenched holiday from hell. The cues are spot on, with doorbells, text messages and a luxury car controlled by a phone app providing a suitably disruptive background to family life. There’s also a wonderful use of light at the end, drawing the audience into what feels like a warm hug.
Vicky Featherstone’s direction has a fantastic pace, she’s given us a family whose interactions feel very natural. The tensions between siblings and between husband and wife are perfectly pitched – a push between brother and sister contrasts with the growing distance between Mum and Dad, but the communication breakdown all round is very clear. Occasionally the script takes a slightly surreal turn – with daughter Nicky singing her mum Yvonne’s thoughts, or with something that makes you wonder which memories are real and which are part of Nicky’s romanticised imaginings – but it’s all presented in a matter-of-fact way that shows us a family that, despite what we see, is still close but has perhaps forgotten how to show it.
The ensemble cast is excellent. Parents Steve (Michael Jibson) and Yvonne (Gemma Whelan) do a fantastic job as the heart of a family that needs a little resuscitation, their comic timing is a delight to watch, both of them managing to show the frustration behind their quips. Jibson has a great physical presence as he pushes himself physically in an attempt to hold on to his youth. As daughter Nicky, Nancy Allsop is a confident and reliable narrator, with a strong stage presence, it’s always clear what she’s thinking and the tone of her singing brings a youthful optimism to proceedings. The part of Yvonne’s sister Sian is perhaps slightly underwritten, she’s firmly there for comic relief, but Victoria Elliott makes the most of every moment of stage time, giving us a free-spirited party girl with some fun comedy moments. Luke Lambert steals every scene he’s in as growling and mumbling 17 year old Matt – and then surprising us with an operatic howl for his beloved Rachel, the teen angst almost taking on a life of its own! But the stand-out performance comes from Gay Soper as May, giving us a heartbreaking portrayal of Gran as she succumbs more and more to memory loss. Her growing confusion is something that will resonate with so many audience members who have cared for an older relative. Despite this, she still has plenty of brilliantly comic one liners and reactions, it’s a beautifully drawn character.
Although the idea of a story about a dysfunctional family is not a new one, This is My Family gives a fresh and original take on it. It could perhaps do with losing around ten minutes from its running time but it is a great evening’s entertainment. The strong cast, excellent direction and design and Firth’s funny and relatable script make this a delightful family to spend a couple of hours with.
This is My Family runs at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant) until Saturday 12th July. Find out more and book tickets here.
★★★★