Writer: Lin Coghlan
Director: Jim Pope
Reviewer: Christine Stanton
“Emotional“
4 / 5
Siblings Robbie and Cel have grown up in the care system and are the only constants in each others life, no matter how much the system has wound up inadvertently keeping them apart.
Red tape and regulations have meant that Robbie (Joseph Clark) and Cel (Tabitha Detroit) weren’t always able to be placed in the same homes, or even areas, together, despite their frustration and desperation of wanting to stay close. Now, they’re finally old enough to be independent, and Robbie can’t wait for them to get a flat together, only problem is, Cel wants to escape away to University, and doesn’t quite know how to break it to Robbie.
Set in Lewisham, the harrowing stat in the show blurb of there being 461 children in the Lewisham borough without a family home is immediately hard-hitting, and Coghlan’s script further conveys the emotion through the eyes of three young adults in the care cycle. Clark does a fantastic job as Robbie – his confusion, pain, loneliness and anger is completely affecting. As we’re shown snapshots of Robbie’s life, we learn more about his upbringing, his grief, and his attachment to Cel, allowing the audience to fully resonate and sympathise with his plight. His annoyance of needing to ‘prove’ independence as a child in care, or his worry that Cel will up and leave because of his experiences with other adults in his life are explored well, and make for some wonderfully tender interactions. Detroit gives a great performance as the loving big sister, ensuring that her role of voluntary responsibility, and the restrictions she faces because of it, is also showcased and sympathised with.
Equally effective is the role of Mrs Bosely (Alice Selwyn) who cares deeply for Robbie and Cel, but is limited with what she can do within the confines of her job description. The toll taken on her, and the sympathy she emanates is shown brilliantly by Selwyn, and the scenes in the latter half of the show where she has a heart to heart with Robbie are very touching. His relationship with his best friend Miko (Romeo Mika) provides some great comedic relief in an otherwise emotional storyline. The pair have great chemistry, with Mika being a naturally comedic performer, who times his interactions and exasperations excellently, while still ensuring his more serious moments where he discusses his own home life are believable and sincere.
A strong show, that pulls at your heartstrings and tells an integral story about life in care, and the affects it has on everyone involved within it.
Runs until 3rd October 2026
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