Reviewer: Christine Stanton
Writer: Michele Sheldon
“Informatively Rousing”
3.5 / 5
Fleecehold is based on the true story of three working mums from North-West England, who are fighting the Government for leasehold reform. After the three were mis-sold their homes through the Help to Buy scheme, they realised that someone needed to take a stand and have now spent the last few years raising awareness, campaigning for action, and lobbying to make changes.
Full disclosure – I knew nothing about leaseholds prior to the play, but I left completely informed and infuriated on behalf of everyone who has been affected by the atrocious misleading of those in charge. The women compare themselves to David and Goliath, trying to take on the rich and powerful but being blocked each time with policy small print and bureaucratic red tape. Although they have made some small wins during their campaigns and have garnered support on their Facebook group of around 27000 people, there’s still a long way to go to ensure change for the remaining estimated 6.6 million homes.
Writer Michele Sheldon has taken this true story and packaged it in a way that not only helps an audience to understand the finer details of leaseholds, but also makes it entertaining, which considering it’s a show about Government policy is a big achievement! The performance is made up of a variety of scenes and characters – with the narrative mainly pushed along by Lucille Ferguson as Katie Kendrick, outlining the progression from when she purchased her house to the current day. Cath Burton (Cath Williams) and Sasha Ravencroft (Jo Darbyshire) are alongside her for the journey, also mis-sold their homes and campaigning for justice and change. There is one part of the show that features a projected video of the protest at Westminster, which is a fantastic addition to highlight the reality behind the production.
In addition to the three women, there are also a variety of other parts played by Philip Honeywell, Rowland D Hill and Tim Knightley. One in particular that really stands out is the discussion at a property developer office – where they brainstorm the varying charges they can implement into the contracts, again it shocks the audience with the sheer audacity of the developers, and brings their villainous ways into the forefront.
There are some parts of the show that don’t quite work as well in garnering support – the multiple drawn-out pantomime-style interactions with ghosts of Earls, Lords and MP’s feel under-developed and too childlike to really help bring the important points home. Cutting these parts out would help keep the strength of the writing throughout and maintain the same powerfully rousing tone that features throughout the rest of the performance, instead of trivialising it and dumbing it down for an audience.
Sheldon’s script helps to shine a light on a shocking and important issue with an informatively rousing script that not only educates, but entertains and engages with the unbelievable leasehold reality that many people across England and Wales are struggling with.
Runs until 13 August 2023
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