Press for this production

‘Cerys Duffy’s play You’ve Gone Quiet is a remarkable piece of original theatre that holds you from its opening moment and carries you on a wave of emotions and understanding…
The writing is exceptional: sharp compassionate and unflinchingly truthful. Duffy avoids easy answers, instead inviting the audience to experience Beth’s fears, frustrations, and resilience from her perspective… At times heartbreaking and at others darkly funny, the script balances emotional intensity with genuine warmth and insight.

The production is elevated by a superb cast delivering performances of astonishing power and authenticity… and Andy Macleod’s direction is super intelligent and brings such variety of pace and intensity. Creating moments of perfection in this highly important piece of theatre.

At Jack Studio Theatre before going on a short tour, You’ve Gone Quiet demonstrates the power of theatre to open up discussion on important subjects, whilst fostering empathy and understanding. If offers audiences a rare and often horrifying glimpse into the challenges that trans people face to exist truthfully, while never losing sight of the humanity and strength required to do just that.

This compelling, thought-provoking and beautifully crafted production from Brighton based Open Handed Theatre is essential viewing and unquestionably a five-star evening.’ ★★★★★ Theatre-News

‘Duffy has the knack/skill of being able to write a ‘good’ play, with believable roles and a structure which makes one want to know what happens next…Andy McLeod knows how to direct a play and extract everything out of it, whether it is humour or pathos, both of which You’ve Gone Quiet has…

All six actors work superbly together, giving the play the light, shade and pace that it needs…

I cannot recommend this play too highly… It treats its subject matter irreverently but seriously at the same time, yet running through the evening is a sense of humour which is infectious, giving much food for thought. If only all new plays were even half as good as this one!  Very highly recommended! But it is only at The Jack Studio Theatre until this Saturday! Surely it must be seen elsewhere… plays this good are few and far between!’ ★★★★★ London Theatre1

‘The writing is excellent… We see the whole range of attitudes towards trans people, written and performed with absolute honesty about the prejudice and challenges that make it extremely difficult to just live an ordinary life… But as well as addressing all of these issues, the script is also peppered with humour, some of it coarse and very funny, that makes the characters fully rounded and very human.‍ ‍

Director Andy McLeod has done an excellent job bringing this great script to life on stage.  The cast is very strong… all give considered and powerful performances, clearly showing their characters’ struggles, prejudices and challenges. ‍ ‍

Duffy expresses a hope that people will leave the play seeing things from somebody else’s perspective. She has certainly achieved this. You’ve Gone Quiet is as thought provoking as it is entertaining and should be required viewing for anybody who has empathy for their fellow humans, and even more so for those loud and dissenting voices. It’s an impressive and important piece of theatre. Go and see it.‍’ ★★★★★ Theatre and Tonic

‘this is a play about finding the love and the way out of a messy tangle of circumstance. You’ve Gone Quiet is a fundamentally optimistic view of life from the perspective of a trans woman that draws us in completely and marks this out as a tremendous piece of new writing.

Whether you are trans, gay, anywhere else in the LGBTQ+ spectrum, an ally, or even someone who does not think they have it in themselves to be an ally – whoever you are, the comedy, pain and love of You’ve Gone Quiet will speak to you.’ ★★★★½ The Reviews Hub

‘Cerys Duffy’s writing and Andy McLeod’s direction prove an exceptional partnership, with the many threads of Duffy’s writing balanced perfectly alongside McLeod’s sharp and active direction. It’s rare for scene transitions to be a highlight of a show, but thumping and effective light and sound from Katy Matthews takes us effortlessly through an array of locations and time jumps all while the actors themselves remain entirely in character. Masterful stuff’ London Pub Theatres ★★★★

‘Stimulating, well performed and hugely entertaining…  it also deserves being staged in other theatres in other towns.’ Reviewsgate ★★★★

‘the production remains brilliantly entertaining thanks to Duffy’s consistently sharp humour and a committed cast… thoughtful and insightful’ Rated Reviewed ★★★★

‘an honest and empathetic tale of love and friendship that shines a light on the challenges faced by trans people today’ Theatre Weekly

NOMINATED for a STANDING OVATION AWARD from London Pub Theatres

NOMINATED for FIVE FRINGE THEATRE AWARDS: New Play, Ensemble, Director, Diversity and Inclusions, and Production.