A Taste of Honey, Trafalgar Studios - ★★★★ - Until February 29, 2020


So many of today's hot button issues are here: poverty, class, racism and homophobia. Shelagh Delaney touched on all of them in her groundbreaking play of 1958 and her work still resonates. The story of adolescent, Jo, and her overbearing mother, Helen, is still touching and disturbing. Theirs is a search for affection and validation from others while they express their disappointment and frustration by throwing verbal barbs at each other. The work is as visceral and vibrant as when it was first produced and the characters are thoroughly engaging. Jodie Prenger is amazing as Helen the overblown, overconfident yet vulnerable mother. She gets it just right as she alternately infuriates with her selfishness and insensitivity and then confuses us with flashes of caring and fragility. Gemma Dobson is equally strong as her mother's mirror image, stubborn and headstrong yet needy and confused. The play itself still bears some of the hallmarks of a first work, occasionally rather forced plotting and an unevenness in the language with speeches too articulate and references too arcane for the characters involved. The placement of musicians on the stage is also sometimes distracting. Nevertheless, caveats aside, this remains a fine production of a modern classic.

Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until February 29, 2020
Mon - Sat: 7:30 pm, Thu & Sat: 2:30 pm
Trafalgar Studios (Studio 1)
Nearest station: Charing Cross
https://trafalgar-studios.com/shows/a-taste-of-honey/

Most Popular

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

The Bowie Show ★★★ Lyric Theatre | February 10, 2025 & UK Tour

Canned Goods ★★★ Southwark Playhouse, Borough | Jan 16 - Feb 8, 2025

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank ★★★★ Marylebone Theatre | Jan 20 - Feb 15, 2025

Macbeth ★★★★ Donmar Theatre | Cinemas from February 5, 2025

Statues ★★★ Bush Theatre | Oct 9 - Nov 9, 2024

Scissorhandz – A Musical Reinvented ★★ Southwark Playhouse, Elephant | Jan 23 - Mar 29, 2025

Camden Fringe: Truth After Murder, Etcetera Theatre - ★★★ - Until August 25, 2019

An Interrogation ★★★★ Hampstead Theatre | Jan 16 - Feb 22, 2025

The Marriage of Figaro ★★★★ London Coliseum | February 5 - 22, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings