REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
THE KITCHEN SINK
by Tom Wells
QUEEN'S THEATRE HORNCHURCH
17 Mar - 2 Apr 2022
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
THE KITCHEN SINK
by Tom Wells
QUEEN'S THEATRE HORNCHURCH
17 Mar - 2 Apr 2022
Following on from its hugely successful production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, the team at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch turns its attention towards home, and a play by British writer, Tom Wells, called The Kitchen Sink. First performed in 2011, this comedy drama is returning for a highly anticipated tenth anniversary revival.
On the face of it, this play could not be more different to the Miller. Last time, we had intense drama and repercussions of past events, whilst The Kitchen Sink delivers us a gentle comedy of daily life. The key factor that links them together is the concept of family.
Tom Wells here portrays a working class family from Hull, and all the comings and goings via the hub of the house, otherwise known as the kitchen, as they come together and battle through the trials and tribulations of their daily lives.
The play opens with son, Billy, tall, lanky, gay, as he is finishing a portrait of Dolly Parton, which he hopes will swing him a place at Art College. Mum, Kath, is preparing dinner for her husband Martin whilst trying to come up with some constructive advice for Billy at the same time as chopping carrots for a stew. Martin is a milkman. His milk float is falling apart and customers are deserting in droves, as more and more people find the supermarket a cheaper option. Completing the family unit is Sophie, a potential black belt in Karate, and her long suffering but very patient boyfriend Pete.
The play takes us through a year, broken up into seasons. It is set on the north east coast, in a small seaside town near Hull, where Tom Wells himself comes from. The notion of ‘kitchen sink’ drama has always been a powerful concept in British cinema and theatre; and during the play the sink itself almost becomes a character, hanging on for dear life like the family who use it. Pete is a plumber, and spends much of his time trying to mend it, even making an entrance into one scene through the sink unit itself.
The team at the Queens have again cast this production with very watchable, top class actors. Dominic Jones as Billy, who must be well over 6 feet tall, is a very funny actor who captures Billy’s anxieties and sensitivity so well. As Martin, and his daughter Sophie, Ken Bradshaw and Matilda Tucker, who seem to be the cut out of each other, as they both find it hard to articulate their feelings, both give very finely tuned performances. Up and coming actor Joseph Read also invests Pete with a very attractive warmth. We are told of the sadness behind his character and yet he is always cheerful and upbeat.
Yet again, as in so many families, it is mum, Kath, played with gritty, boundless energy by Sally George, who motors the whole play and holds her family together. She is always there to give everyone her support and comfort. She has aspirations to try new things, and hilariously tries out new recipes on her not always grateful family. Eventually even her patience wears thin. Her big meltdown towards the end of the play is hilarious and heartbreaking. A terrific performance indeed.
The Kitchen Sink is directed by Caroline Leslie with great attention to all the nuances in the script. Not a moment is missed. Many funny lines register with great laughs from the audience. She and her cast have created a very real sense of warmth and togetherness on Zoe Hurwitz’s wide, yet cluttered (in the best way) set.
The play is accompanied by a Dolly Parton soundtrack throughout which only adds to the warmth. It may take a few minutes to tune in to the broad North Yorkshire accents, for which the company hired Mary Howland, an Accent Coach. It is thoroughly worth the effort.
A very enjoyable evening.
Review: Andrew Walters
Photos: Mark Sepple
On the face of it, this play could not be more different to the Miller. Last time, we had intense drama and repercussions of past events, whilst The Kitchen Sink delivers us a gentle comedy of daily life. The key factor that links them together is the concept of family.
Tom Wells here portrays a working class family from Hull, and all the comings and goings via the hub of the house, otherwise known as the kitchen, as they come together and battle through the trials and tribulations of their daily lives.
The play opens with son, Billy, tall, lanky, gay, as he is finishing a portrait of Dolly Parton, which he hopes will swing him a place at Art College. Mum, Kath, is preparing dinner for her husband Martin whilst trying to come up with some constructive advice for Billy at the same time as chopping carrots for a stew. Martin is a milkman. His milk float is falling apart and customers are deserting in droves, as more and more people find the supermarket a cheaper option. Completing the family unit is Sophie, a potential black belt in Karate, and her long suffering but very patient boyfriend Pete.
The play takes us through a year, broken up into seasons. It is set on the north east coast, in a small seaside town near Hull, where Tom Wells himself comes from. The notion of ‘kitchen sink’ drama has always been a powerful concept in British cinema and theatre; and during the play the sink itself almost becomes a character, hanging on for dear life like the family who use it. Pete is a plumber, and spends much of his time trying to mend it, even making an entrance into one scene through the sink unit itself.
The team at the Queens have again cast this production with very watchable, top class actors. Dominic Jones as Billy, who must be well over 6 feet tall, is a very funny actor who captures Billy’s anxieties and sensitivity so well. As Martin, and his daughter Sophie, Ken Bradshaw and Matilda Tucker, who seem to be the cut out of each other, as they both find it hard to articulate their feelings, both give very finely tuned performances. Up and coming actor Joseph Read also invests Pete with a very attractive warmth. We are told of the sadness behind his character and yet he is always cheerful and upbeat.
Yet again, as in so many families, it is mum, Kath, played with gritty, boundless energy by Sally George, who motors the whole play and holds her family together. She is always there to give everyone her support and comfort. She has aspirations to try new things, and hilariously tries out new recipes on her not always grateful family. Eventually even her patience wears thin. Her big meltdown towards the end of the play is hilarious and heartbreaking. A terrific performance indeed.
The Kitchen Sink is directed by Caroline Leslie with great attention to all the nuances in the script. Not a moment is missed. Many funny lines register with great laughs from the audience. She and her cast have created a very real sense of warmth and togetherness on Zoe Hurwitz’s wide, yet cluttered (in the best way) set.
The play is accompanied by a Dolly Parton soundtrack throughout which only adds to the warmth. It may take a few minutes to tune in to the broad North Yorkshire accents, for which the company hired Mary Howland, an Accent Coach. It is thoroughly worth the effort.
A very enjoyable evening.
Review: Andrew Walters
Photos: Mark Sepple
CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION
OF THE KITCHEN SINK BY TOM WELLS
A QUEEN’S THEATRE HORNCHURCH PRODUCTION
OF THE KITCHEN SINK BY TOM WELLS
A QUEEN’S THEATRE HORNCHURCH PRODUCTION
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch announce casting for the 10th anniversary production of Tom Wells award- winning, irresistibly funny and tender play, The Kitchen Sink (17 Mar - 2 Apr 2022)
Playing Martin is Ken Bradshaw (War Horse, The National Theatre), with Sally George as Kath (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Park Theatre), Dominic Jones as Billy (Growth, Paines Plough/UK Tour), Joseph Reed as Pete (The Nobodies, Chalk Line Theatre/UK Tour), and Matilda Tucker as Sophie (Dangerous Liaisons, Playground/STARZ).
Things aren’t going to plan for one Yorkshire family. Martin’s milk float is falling apart and something’s up with Kath’s sink. Billy’s trying to get into art school with a portrait of Dolly Parton. Sophie’s dreaming of her black belt whilst Pete, a local plumber, is quietly falling in love. Amidst the dramas and the dirty dishes, something has to give…
Playwright Tom Wells work includes: Big Big Sky (Hampstead Theatre, 2021); Stuff (National Theatre Connections Festival, 2019); Drip, with music composed by Matthew Robins (Boundless Theatre, 2017/8); Broken Biscuits (Live Theatre/Paines Plough UK tour, 2016); Folk (Birmingham Rep & tour, 2016); Jumpers for Goalposts (Watford Palace Theatre, 2013); The Kitchen Sink (Bush Theatre, 2011) and Me, As A Penguin (Arcola Theatre, 2010). He received critical acclaim for The Kitchen Sink winning the George Devine Award and the Most Promising Playwright Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
★★★★★ ‘Comic, poignant and utterly gripping’ - Evening Standard
' I cannot recommend it too highly' - Charles Spencer - Daily Telegraph
The Kitchen Sink will be directed by Caroline Leslie (The Wipers Times, The Watermill Theatre, The Arts Theatre & UK Tour), designed by Zoe Hurwitz (We Anchor in Hope, The Bunker Theatre), with lighting design by Stephen Pemble (All My Sons, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch) and sound design and music composed by Jack Baxter (Yes So I Said Yes, The Finborough Theatre).
Director Caroline Leslie says: “The family in this awesomely funny play are a bit like the coastline they live on, under attack from erosion; not by the sea itself but by the collapse of local businesses and a lack of investment in what was once a thriving economy and popular tourist destination. Like the crumbling coast, the family has to work out what the changes are that it needs to make in order to survive. Full of pride, humour and tenderness, this timely play has deeper undercurrents that explore how we can feel stuck in our co-ordinates and what it takes to make a leap into unknown waters”.
“I think this play should really chime for our audiences. Tom Wells understands that everyone’s family can be brilliant, messy and a bit dysfunctional all at once, which makes the play instantly familiar, hilarious, and thought provoking. It’s a hopeful play for troubled times that looks at how we support and challenge each other in our chosen units, and the trials and often comic tribulations of what it is to go through life together in uncertain, changing and challenging times. It’s a real honour to be directing it for The Queen’s Theatre”.
Likened to the plays of Alan Bennett don’t miss this affectionate and sweet yet often hilarious portrait of working-class family life. To book your tickets and for more information about the Theatre visit queens-theatre.co.uk.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has joined over 100 theatres UK wide for a new campaign, for which The National Lottery is providing up to £2 million to subsidise over 150,000 tickets across the UK. During March, National Lottery players can get 2-for-1 theatre tickets for performances of The Kitchen Sink.
Tickets are available to purchase via loveyourlocaltheatre.com
The theatre will also be providing an Audio Described performance (02 Apr) with Audio Description available via headset at every performance from 21 Mar, a Dementia Friendly performance (24 Mar) and a Relaxed Performance (26 Mar) for more details visit the website.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Billet Lane, Hornchurch. RM11 1QT
The Kitchen Sink
Dates: 17 Mar - 2 Apr 2022 ( Previews 17 & 18 Mar / Press Night 19 Mar)
Various times, see below
Audio Described performance: Sat 2 Apr | 2.30pm
Audio description via a headset is available at every performance from 21 March
Dementia Friendly: Thu 24 Mar | 1.30pm
Relaxed performance: Sat 26 Mar | 2.30pm
Tickets: from £12.50
www.queens-theatre.co.uk
CAST
Ken Bradshaw Martin
Sally George Kath
Dominic Jones Billy
Joseph Reed Pete
Matilda Tucker Sophie
CREATIVE TEAM
Caroline Leslie Director
Zoe Hurwitz Designer
Stephen Pemble Lighting Designer
Jack Baxter Sound Designer and Composer
Nicola Thomas Costume Supervisor
Molly Wilsher Assistant Director
Mathew Russell Executive Producer
Playing Martin is Ken Bradshaw (War Horse, The National Theatre), with Sally George as Kath (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Park Theatre), Dominic Jones as Billy (Growth, Paines Plough/UK Tour), Joseph Reed as Pete (The Nobodies, Chalk Line Theatre/UK Tour), and Matilda Tucker as Sophie (Dangerous Liaisons, Playground/STARZ).
Things aren’t going to plan for one Yorkshire family. Martin’s milk float is falling apart and something’s up with Kath’s sink. Billy’s trying to get into art school with a portrait of Dolly Parton. Sophie’s dreaming of her black belt whilst Pete, a local plumber, is quietly falling in love. Amidst the dramas and the dirty dishes, something has to give…
Playwright Tom Wells work includes: Big Big Sky (Hampstead Theatre, 2021); Stuff (National Theatre Connections Festival, 2019); Drip, with music composed by Matthew Robins (Boundless Theatre, 2017/8); Broken Biscuits (Live Theatre/Paines Plough UK tour, 2016); Folk (Birmingham Rep & tour, 2016); Jumpers for Goalposts (Watford Palace Theatre, 2013); The Kitchen Sink (Bush Theatre, 2011) and Me, As A Penguin (Arcola Theatre, 2010). He received critical acclaim for The Kitchen Sink winning the George Devine Award and the Most Promising Playwright Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
★★★★★ ‘Comic, poignant and utterly gripping’ - Evening Standard
' I cannot recommend it too highly' - Charles Spencer - Daily Telegraph
The Kitchen Sink will be directed by Caroline Leslie (The Wipers Times, The Watermill Theatre, The Arts Theatre & UK Tour), designed by Zoe Hurwitz (We Anchor in Hope, The Bunker Theatre), with lighting design by Stephen Pemble (All My Sons, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch) and sound design and music composed by Jack Baxter (Yes So I Said Yes, The Finborough Theatre).
Director Caroline Leslie says: “The family in this awesomely funny play are a bit like the coastline they live on, under attack from erosion; not by the sea itself but by the collapse of local businesses and a lack of investment in what was once a thriving economy and popular tourist destination. Like the crumbling coast, the family has to work out what the changes are that it needs to make in order to survive. Full of pride, humour and tenderness, this timely play has deeper undercurrents that explore how we can feel stuck in our co-ordinates and what it takes to make a leap into unknown waters”.
“I think this play should really chime for our audiences. Tom Wells understands that everyone’s family can be brilliant, messy and a bit dysfunctional all at once, which makes the play instantly familiar, hilarious, and thought provoking. It’s a hopeful play for troubled times that looks at how we support and challenge each other in our chosen units, and the trials and often comic tribulations of what it is to go through life together in uncertain, changing and challenging times. It’s a real honour to be directing it for The Queen’s Theatre”.
Likened to the plays of Alan Bennett don’t miss this affectionate and sweet yet often hilarious portrait of working-class family life. To book your tickets and for more information about the Theatre visit queens-theatre.co.uk.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has joined over 100 theatres UK wide for a new campaign, for which The National Lottery is providing up to £2 million to subsidise over 150,000 tickets across the UK. During March, National Lottery players can get 2-for-1 theatre tickets for performances of The Kitchen Sink.
Tickets are available to purchase via loveyourlocaltheatre.com
The theatre will also be providing an Audio Described performance (02 Apr) with Audio Description available via headset at every performance from 21 Mar, a Dementia Friendly performance (24 Mar) and a Relaxed Performance (26 Mar) for more details visit the website.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Billet Lane, Hornchurch. RM11 1QT
The Kitchen Sink
Dates: 17 Mar - 2 Apr 2022 ( Previews 17 & 18 Mar / Press Night 19 Mar)
Various times, see below
Audio Described performance: Sat 2 Apr | 2.30pm
Audio description via a headset is available at every performance from 21 March
Dementia Friendly: Thu 24 Mar | 1.30pm
Relaxed performance: Sat 26 Mar | 2.30pm
Tickets: from £12.50
www.queens-theatre.co.uk
CAST
Ken Bradshaw Martin
Sally George Kath
Dominic Jones Billy
Joseph Reed Pete
Matilda Tucker Sophie
CREATIVE TEAM
Caroline Leslie Director
Zoe Hurwitz Designer
Stephen Pemble Lighting Designer
Jack Baxter Sound Designer and Composer
Nicola Thomas Costume Supervisor
Molly Wilsher Assistant Director
Mathew Russell Executive Producer