The great and the good were out in force for Bird Grove at Hampstead Theatre. Alison Steadman, Tasmin Grieg, Aneka Rice, Twiggy, Ian Hislop, Stephen Mangan and Joely Richardson, all in one room!? There was a buzz in the air for Alexi Kay Campbell’s return to writing for the stage. His glittering CV positions him as one the UK’s most celebrated authors.
As an actor, Campbell worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Court, and Oxford Stage Company. His first play, The Pride, premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 2008 and was awarded the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement, The Critic’s Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, and The John Whiting Award for Best New Play. After a run of critically acclaimed productions, Campbell wrote the feature film Woman in Gold,starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. It was the highest earning independent film of 2015.
Bird Grove is a theatrical imagining of the early life of writer George Eliot, when she was still very much the unknown Mary Ann Evans. Before emerging as a literary icon, she was a brilliantly curious young woman, balancing her hunger for knowledge with the patriarchal strictures of home and society. A woman reading a book was deeply suspicious in Victorian society, never mind having an opinion or flashing an ankle. The play is a fairly accurate portrayal of the circumstances which prompted Eliot’s evolution from uniquely independent provincial woman to author of Middlemarch, one of the greatest novels in the English language.
Owen Teale is excellent as Robert Evans, Eliot’s problematic dad. His support of her education, from a very early age was as generously rigorous as it was radical. She blossomed into a shameless intellectual. The old man was uneasy at his daughter’s progress. Years in the library meant she could eloquently query his attachments to status while pondering the hypocrisies of organised religion. Teale serves a nuanced dichotomy of a nurturing father who curdles into a stubborn Bible basher.
Sharp comedy chops and cold, pragmatic chauvinism come courtesy of Jolyon Coy, who plays Isaac Evans, Mary Ann’s brother. Bumbling, brash and selfish siblings are a mainstay of 19th century literature and Coy embraces the archetype with such serious conviction that the performance is at turns hilarious, then infuriating and ultimately tragic. He frets that his sister is hanging with “extreme freethinkers” which will sully her eligibility for marriage.
“If word gets around that she is part of their coterie, I believe it would alienate any of the more sensible interested parties and all she’ll be left with are Chartists and Radicals. And I don’t believe that either of those make good husbands.”
Elizabeth Dulau plays Mary Ann/George Eliot, and the actress is world famous for portraying Kleya Marki in the Star Wars spin-off series Andor. Niche intergalactic Disney yarns are unlikely to be on the radar of the Hampstead Theatre set, but Dulau holds her own in a theatrical stage debut. Dulau was snapped up by Disney, straight out of drama school and absolutely nails a lead role that’s intellectually demanding, consistently central to the drama and a far cry from space ships and meteors. Dulau delivers. If she was setting out to make a point with regards to her craft and range, Dulau does it with bells on.
Fans of George Eliot and 19th century literature will likely find Bird Grove a highly civilised and entertaining night out. At 2 hours and 40 minutes, it’s a rather lengthy prospect should one be after excitement or surprise, both of which are absent from this show. It’s beautifully written, like a polished Gothic gem, but there are tons of 19th century musty masterpieces knocking about and cluttering up the syllabus of a thousand English lit courses. As a huge fan of Victorian novels and philosophy, Bird Grove tickled that personal penchant, but only lightly.
It’s always cheering to see new writing, but the thrill of fresh work is usually thanks to new voices. Bird Grove is a high end, but cosy escape. That might be what some audiences want, but it’s not what theatre needs right now.
Bird Grove is at Hampstead Theatre until 21st March 2026, ALL SHOWS – Hampstead Theatre
Reviewer: Stewart Who?
Reviewed: 24th February 2026
North West End UK Rating: