Till The Stars Come Down ★★★★★ Theatre Royal Haymarket | Jul 1 - Sep 27, 2025


Beth Steel has a wonderful ear for dialogue and her Till The Stars Come Down is a brilliantly evocative piece. Although it is set in a very specific time and place, it manages to recall everyone's family and to create the timeless reality of family gatherings. The day of Sylvia and Marek's wedding begins simply enough. The three sisters, Hazel, Maggie and Sylvia are joined by Aunty Carol and the women put on their make-up for the big day. Amidst these preparations for the milestone occasion, there is the predictable banter, sniping and laughter - and, of course, there are hitches. The crisis of the dress that doesn't fit is fortunately resolved when the wedding gown of the sisters' late mother serves as a replacement. Then, there is the wedding reception. Despite the dinner being laced with references to old feuds, suggestions of secret liaisons and some casual racism, everything is smoothed over and appearances are maintained. However, when Act I ends there is a deluge of rain. After that, veneers crack, and both violence and bitter truths shatter the facades that have been erected. Fuelled by alcohol, the minor strains in relationships are exposed as major ruptures. The family bonds which appeared to be supports are revealed as constraints. As well as this work is both written and acted, we are not in particularly new territory. Steel's point seems to be that till the stars come down nothing in the nature of human relationships really changes. From the replacement of the wedding dress, to Tony's disquisition on a fossil through the amusing demonstration of the solar system, the message seems to be that in the larger contexts of time and space human nature doesn't change, nor is it very consequential. Without exception, the cast of Till The Stars Come Down are exceptional. They all display a consummate sense of timing and an emotional intelligence that make this work a disturbingly familiar, and nostalgic, experience. This is humorous and compelling drama that no one should miss.

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Manuel Harlan

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT, UK

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