One Sugar, Stirred to the Left – theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

World Premier

Based on his own lived experience, following the death of his father, award-winning composer Jon Lawrence, turns playwright in a quirky, bittersweet tale, which may have a sad ending built-in but leaves a pleasant aftertaste, nonetheless.

Hamish and Henry lie in hospice beds. They know they are dying, but they have not lost their sense of humour, or their need for human contact. They still have their dignity, and for one of them they find a reason for living, at least a little longer, in a final task to be completed.

Like a final episode of Still Game much of the best writing here comes in the pitch-black gallows humour, but also the life truths, shared between coffin-dodgers Stephen Corrall (Henry) and Duncan Airlie-James (Hamish). A pair of old curmudgeons, ready to put the world to rights while they still can. It’s a shame there isn’t more of this.

Music element is provided by Nurse Bronwyn, played by Anne Yeomans, who reluctantly agrees to turn Henry’s life journal jottings into a series of eight songs, in the hope of conveying his true feelings, something that he has always had difficulty expressing.

When Henry’s, regular visiting, son Justine, played by Dom Fraser, finds out about his father’s dying wish request, he is hurt that his father has confided in a nurse rather than him. But in reconciliation the pair also find an unexpected deeper understanding and appreciation of each other.

Very bad tea, but wonderfully Buddhist life sense is dished out in equal measures by Tea lady, Amala, very nicely played by Jiang, who becomes more significant as the tale unfolds.

A play that packs a lot in to it’s 70-minute run time, maybe too much, but also gets a lot right. Performances are good across the board, and the story is carried with power but also sensitivity, with original live music thrown in as a sort of added bonus.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 13^th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: