Our Lady of Blundellsands is a hilarious yet tragic play about family life and is an absolute joy to watch.
Written by Mia O’Hare / @mia_ohare
Second-year Journalism student
As I take my seat, it is like being transported into someone’s living room. The small stage of the Everyman Theatre is turned into the downstairs of a cluttered and nostalgic house which remains the setting for the entire play.
After the lights dim, we are greeted by Sylvie (Josie Lawrence) an eccentric woman who lives in her own fantasy world. She is a DJ on her fictional radio show and is expecting adoring fans to be waiting outside as her older sister Garnet returns from her shopping trip. Garnet (Annette Badland) is worn down from looking after her sister and playing along with her imagination yet the love she has for her is evident. The two aging sisters are living together in their house which looks out to the sea where Sylvie, who doesn’t go outside, looks out onto Antony Gormley’s statues.
But with any family, tensions can quickly rise as they all gather to celebrate Garnet’s 65th birthday. Sylvie’s two sons who were born 20 years apart, Mickey-Joe and Lee Lee, arrive for the party with their partners. The use of scouse humour and local Liverpool knowledge make the audience giggle as the evening gets into full swing.
As the wine keeps pouring, arguments start to rise. Lies and cover-ups are revealed and hidden secrets are exposed. The high drama is sliced with snippets of humour as the shouting is met with laughter from the audience. The six characters on stage all react to the climatic point differently, as with any family, yet at the closure of the first half they all perform a theatrical song and dance routine.
Truths revealed in the first half of the play only get deeper in the second. Garnet’s secret which she was hiding to protect Sylvie is heartbreaking to watch. Sylvie’s sons are facing their own problems as they have been living out their mother’s dream with Mickey-Joe being a drag queen called Crystal and mummy’s boy Lee Lee a failed actor. The son’s partners bond over joining this dysfunctional family but start to help out the others where they can.
The final scene is one that is full of emotion as we, an audience, are expecting what’s going to happen. Even though we are sure about the fate of Sylvie and Garnet, it still pulls at the emotions and leaves the audience with one lasting impression of the characters and the way life can be.
Overall a fantastically put together play that can resonate with people of all ages and from any family.
LJMU students can claim discount for Our Lady of Blundellsands until the 28th March. Find out how to claim more exclusive discounts. You can join us to see more Everyman & Playhouse shows on our City Socials for free.
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