Ballad Lines ★★★★ Southwark Playhouse, Elephant | Jan 23 - Mar 21, 2026


Sarah and her partner Alix have just moved into a new home and are on the verge of beginning their life together when Sarah is confronted with a box left to her by her guardian, Aunt Betty. Estranged from her aunt, she initially has no desire to open this window on her past. However, encouraged by Alix, she eventually opens it. The taped reminiscences she discovers transform both her understanding of the past and her plans for the future. Aunt Betty’s reflections on the music of America’s Appalachian Valley intertwine with the histories of the women in their family. Ballads from 17th-century Scotland travel to 18th-century Northern Ireland and evolve as they arrive in the New World. Yet the truths they carry endure, along with the complex emotions and responsibilities surrounding motherhood across three generations of women. Ballad Lines brilliantly captures the emotional depth and evolving dilemmas these women face. Frances McNamee delivers a luminous performance as Sarah, and Rebecca Trehearn is utterly compelling as Betty, both excelling vocally. Ally Kennard, who plays all the men in the show, demonstrates some remarkable versatility, while Sydney Sainté brings a nuanced, thoughtful presence to her role as Alix. Indeed, all of the cast is strong and the music flows effortlessly, weaving traditional ballads with new compositions to create a rich, immersive, and emotionally resonant experience. This seamless blending of the past and the future neatly complements the theme, and the moments of a cappella singing are genuinely magical. Minor quibbles include occasional over-choreography and some uneven accents, particularly Sarah’s brother, whose speech seems improbably distinct from hers. There are also several anachronisms, such as the cast’s footwear, the brother’s spectacles, and the superfluous mother-in-law’s tongue plant. Nevertheless, these issues do little to diminish this moving, thoughtfully crafted piece. When Sarah finally opens her Pandora’s box, it leads to a profoundly stirring and successful musical experience.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Pamela Raith

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: 1 Dante Pl, London SE11 4RX, UK

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