This is a confusing and poorly constructed play. According to the publicity and the programme it is about witchcraft and how persecution of women through the ages has led to the current appalling levels of domestic abuse. That sounds intriguing, but the play lost its way several times.
It starts in an archive where archivist Lily, played by Phoebe Ladenburg works, although there was not much evidence of that on her empty desk. Enter her new assistant the effervescent Ash (Adelle Leonce), dressed and hung over from a wild night out at a nightclub. Despite appearing to be totally unsuitable for a role in the archive she is actually a very bright individual with a considerable knowledge of the history of witchcraft. She has, however, a dark personal history. Nevertheless, she and Lily strike up a close relationship, improbably quickly, which results in them both going to a nightclub together where sexual feelings appear to develop between them.
Police investigating the deaths of three young women seek Lily’s assistance as an expert on ritual killings. Ash’s boyfriend is a police officer Dom (Nick Blood). Their relationship is, at best, tempestuous and, at worst, abusive and Dom uses his official status to obstruct Lily’s investigation, as well as hide his abusive behaviour. These interlinking themes are the source of confusion particularly since some of them are barely developed. Witchcraft is scarcely mentioned after the beginning of the play except in the context that Ash possibly exhibits some characteristics which are traditionally associated with witches, e.g. “conducting animals to attack”. Similarly, the three killings disappear as a theme as quickly as they appear. The author (Sophie Swithinbank) explains this away in her programme note because “murders of women remain unsolved and forgotten”. Fair point, but likely to be lost on most of the audience who would not have read the programme before seeing the play.
The acting was very good and consistent throughout. Ladenburg as Lily was particularly convincing as the rather repressed archivist surprised at her emotional reaction to Ash. Leonce had a more difficult job in portraying the complex character of Ash. In a play which is, ostensibly, intended to illustrate the “culture of sexism and discrimination” in the police force I think it would have been useful to have another male actor playing the role of the policewoman to whom Lily, unsuccessfully, tries to report her concerns about Ash instead of having her played by the same female actor (Leonce) who a few moments earlier was playing the victim.
The play was staged with the audience on two sides of the Young Vic’s Maria Theatre with tall bookcases at each end, sparsely stacked with archive boxes. The lighting, sound and other technical effects were very accomplished but no amount of technical wizardry could save this play from its text. The oppression of women through the ages, domestic abuse, and institutional sexism are all subjects worthy of exploration through drama, but as that master playwright Alan Ayckbourn has said “you can have too many ideas in one play[1]“. Also, if you’re going to write a play which makes an important feature of a live pet rabbit then please think about how you will portray it: the use of an absurd looking, soft toy was pathetic.
Sting is playing at the Maria Theatre at the Young Vic until 18th July 2026. Tickets are available from https://www.youngvic.org/
Reviewer: Paul Ackroyd
Reviewed: 24th June 2026
North West End UK Rating: