Pilgrims – Drayton Arms Theatre, South Kensington

Writer: Elinor Cook
Director: Adam Radford

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Folklore mixed with Modernity“

3.5 / 5

Rachel is fed up with folklore and fables that put women at the heart of the story, solely to be the object of a mans desire rather than have her own path as a heroine explored and celebrated.

One tale Rachel (Rebeca Barbosa) is particularly enchanted with, is that of Tam Lin – a savage story of a girl called Janet captured by an evil fairy Queen, assaulted by a knight, forced to bear his child and save him from his own enduring curse from the Queen. She excitedly recounts the story to two mountaineering best friends when she meets them in a bar one evening – Dan (Robert Thomas) and Will (Adam Radford), who are less interested in the story, but both definitely interested in Rachel herself. The two men vie for her affections, with Will being the successful suitor that Rachel ends up dating, but, his jealousy, heavy drinking and bursts of anger soon drive a wedge between them and push her into the arms of the gentler, more sensitive Dan. Rachel’s love triangle causes a rift between the friends – but can one last mountain climb salvage their friendship or had their relationship already reached its summit all those years ago?

Cook introduces the audience to the tale of Tam Lin with various snippets throughout the 60 minute runtime, drawing parallels between Janet and Rachel’s storylines. While Janet’s features curses and castles, Rachel’s is defined mountains and miscommunications, but both females sacrificed their happiness and ambitions for men that didn’t put them first. It’s an intriguing way to combine both stories, and adds a layer of mythical intrigue to what would otherwise be a straightforward narrative of betrayal and lust. Cook showcases the love triangle story through multiple timeframes – pre-Rachel, when they all met, the present with Dan and Will at the top of a mountain, and her relationships with both.

There are some moments that could really utilise some better direction to help the scenes flow better, and to make the constant shifting timeframes easier to follow. As it stands, with all characters taking turns in narrating and quietly outlining “before”, “many years later” etc, it becomes slightly confusing at points, with it slowly being apparant that the intense switches between bright white spotlights, and softer warm lighting being the main signifier of now and then. Perhaps a little stronger pacing would help to segregate the scenes slightly better, and avoid them tumbling into one muddled timeline as they do at the beginning of the show.

The love triangle between the trio is well showcased by Barbosa, Radford and Thomas, with convincing performances that explore the comfort, tension and vulnerability of their ever-changing relationships. An interesting blend of folklore and modern romance.

Runs until 29th July 2026