Di and Viv and Rose – Theatre by the Lake

I was transported back to the 1980s and student life in a northern town at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick through Amelia Bullmore’s play Di and Viv and Rose. A story of three girls who meet for the first time in their student halls of residence, this play captures their lives and friendship over the following three decades.

The minimal set brought back to life the decade of the gettoblaster, bright sportswear, and a time when students had grants and no free tuition.

The three very different characters – Di, a working-class, northern lesbian, Rose, a middle-class, innocent and yet promiscuous southerner, and the more mysterious Viv, a feminist whose wardrobe came from the 1940s, and who was determined to work her way to the top of academia. 

This funny and moving play takes us through how the three 18-year-olds develop their friendship. And when Rose’s stepfather buys a student house as an investment, they all move in together, and their lives become more intertwined.

There is plenty of music from the 1980s to enjoy in the first half, and as we move through the decades, we are transformed by the soundtrack of this production.

Life is never all good, and the bad times the three young women face highlight their special, lifelong friendship. The fear of AIDS, social pressures on women, and sexual violence are tackled sensitively within the writing of this play and also in the direction. 

Olivia Sweeny as Rose, Sally Hodgkiss as Di, and Amelia Donker as Viv are well cast. 

Sweeney captures the essence of the little rich girl, yet captures your heart. She expresses Rose’s excitement and love of life with her performance.  And you can see the comedian as well as the strong actor shine through in Hodgiss’s performance, with her perfect timing. And Donkor grows her character of Viv beautifully throughout the production, as she progresses along her career path, taking on many disguises that hide who the real Viv is – even to herself.

When their student home is broken into, and Di has to face a woman’s worst fears, together they support each other. After university, when Rose’s life turns out very different from what she had planned, they support each other. And when Viv achieves success, they are all together to celebrate. 

This could be an everyday tale of student friends, but it is more than that. This production focuses on the relationships as much as the actions. You feel you have known these characters, thanks to the great performances.

The second half of the production has a major shock moment, which brought about an audible gasp from the audience. Once again, the writing of this play is superb, and leads you by the nose one way, then suddenly the rug is pulled from under you with a new twist. 

The speech at the start of the second half of the play is given perfectly by Hodgkiss. It pulls at the heartstrings. A brilliant performance.

A Theatre by the Lake and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch Production, Di and Viv and Rose is more than a diary of three females turning from teenagers to women. This play provides an insight into friendships and their importance. 

The final scene is a celebration of three lives and brings back the joy of this production. The actors dance like no one is watching them, sharing the happiness of these three characters that stays with you on your journey home.

Di and Viv and Rose at Theatre by the Lake until Saturday, 11th October.

Reviewer: Karen Morley-Chesworth

Reviewed: 23rd September 2025

North West End UK Rating