Our Lady of Blundellsands at Liverpool Everyman
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Originally playing at Liverpool Everyman in March 2020, Jonathan Harvey’s Our Lady of Blundellsands was paused when theatres across the whole of the country were forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, 18 months later, we’re thrilled that the comedy will resume its run and delight Liverpool audiences once again.
An off-kilter comedy-drama about families and fantasies, honesty and lies.
Directed by Nick Bagnall, Our Lady of Blundellsands is an off-kilter comedy-drama about families and fantasies, honesty and lies. Written for the Everyman by Jonathan Harvey, the award-winning creator of Beautiful Thing and BBC sitcom Gimme Gimme Gimme, the hilarious play centres around sisters Sylvie and Garnet, as the whole family join them in Liverpool for a dinner party.
The ageing siblings share a house together overlooking the beach at Blundellsands in North Liverpool, near Crosby. While Sylvie’s mind is gradually receding like the tide, Garnet struggles to keep her afloat. The play is set on Garnet’s 65th birthday party, and Sylvie’s sons and partners have been invited to celebrate – only Garnet has got something she needs to get off her chest.
The air is heavy with secrets old and new. As the alcohol flows and tongues begin to loosen, the gathering heats up. There’s definitely a party – but it’s not going to be pretty.
Balancing laughter and tears, this clever play holds a mirror up to its audience.
With witty one-liners, frenetic (though utterly believable) characters and complex relationships, Our Lady of Blundellsands demonstrates how heartbreaking great comedy can be. Balancing laughter and tears, this clever play holds a mirror up to its audience – there are perhaps elements we can all relate to in this dysfunctional family.
