Press for this production

‘an opportunity for a fine company of actors… Cracker, played exquisitely by Stephen Guy… Guy is a horribly forceful presence on stage, which is exactly what he should be. It’s a strong, dynamic performance… Elizabeth Elstub and her fine company make it worth the watch, for the sake of theatre history and for the experience of enjoying some high-class acting, especially from Joanne Arber as she traces Adrienne’s precipitous decline.’ ★★★★ The Reviews Hub 

‘what Storey offers is the buried wounds of the characters rising to meet uncomfortably salty air, whilst the play is itself is performative, challengingly flouting its historical influences… In its portrayal of people living with the pain of their personal histories… it is timelessly relevant and rewarding.’ British Theatre Guide

‘We’re instantly engaged and wanting to know more. Director Elizabeth Elstub has given the action a good pace and the interactions between the characters feel very natural… It’s an intriguing premise and has you guessing from the start. The performances are good with all of the actors presenting distinctive characters… There are some stand-out performances. Playing ex-footballer Tom, Christopher Tomkins has excellent physicality, conveying just as much with a look full of menacing intensity as he does with his delivery of dialogue. Oliver Lyndon as geography teacher Terry is one of the more sympathetic characters, his small ambitions and more introverted personality come across very clearly… In the roles of the titular sisters, Joanne Arber and Laura Kaye give excellent performances.

Sisters is certainly an intriguing piece of theatre… it’s well paced and has a good and very watchable cast so it definitely offers an entertaining and thought-provoking evening.’ Theatre and Tonic

‘this is a welcome revival in which the 1970s atmosphere is nicely observed both in the costumes and in Molly Agar’s set… Arber is terrific… It’s a finely nuanced depiction… Also outstanding is Christopher Tomkins as Adrienne’s brother-in-law who styles himself a “businessman”… he’s a powerful presence. Then there’s Stephan Guy making a  fine job of Cracker… This is the first production from a new company, Uncommon Theatre and it will be very interesting to see where they go next because Sisters is arrestingly thoughtful.‘ Susan Elkin

‘As Director Elstub keeps up a good energy, and encourages naturalistic interactions between the characters… Elstub balances this well, and allows each character’s personality to develop… there are some great performances amongst the cast, and a sense of each character having their own internal motivation. Where Tom and Cracker demand respect through force, Terry’s is a more introverted character. The sisters, meanwhile, have responded to their parents’ shortcomings in very different ways: one through escapism, and one tackling reality head on. This tension between fantasy and reality comes to a head as the true reason for Adrienne’s arrival are revealed… I came away feeling like I’d had a proper evening at the theatre, and got to know the “Chekov of the North.” Salterton Arts Review

‘This a rare chance to see Sisters… Elstub and her cast are to be congratulated… It is worth rediscovering Storey and this is a chance to do so not to miss.‘ Reviewsgate

Production shots by Hannah Burgin Photography