Killing It, Network Theatre - ★★★★ - Until February 26, 2020


Mesmeric performances make Killing It a really moving experience. Three generations of women try to come to terms with loss following the unsolved disappearance at sea of Molly's boyfriend. Framed within a stand-up comedy performance, the generally excellent script by Josephine Starte occasionally obscures the thrust of the original plot but we certainly get drawn into the lives of these women. The always kindly intergenerational juxtaposition of the missing man's girlfriend, his mother and his grandmother is beautifully played. However, it is Janet Henfrey as grandmother Margot, the gently spoken, eighty-something woman struggling with early dementia, who totally dominates the proceedings. It is a huge part and Henfrey is entirely believable, playing the role with great authority and subtlety. This is not to belittle the first rate performances of Josephine Starte as comedian/girlfriend, Molly, and Doña Croll as the mother, Vanessa. With an excellent set, lighting and sound, the production by Lily McLeish is beautifully nuanced, extremely detailed and quite unusual in the way that it always leads us imperceptibly back to the drowning which is the original principal plot line. When the play ended there were several thoughtful moments of silence before truly well deserved thunderous applause.

 Reviewed by D.S.J.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until February 26, 2020
Tue & Wed: 7:45 pm
VAULT Festival at Network Theatre
Nearest tube: Waterloo
https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/killing-it/
Map & Location: 246A Lower Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8SJ, UK

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