REVIEW: COLDER THAN HERE by Laura Wade at Jack Studio Theatre 5 -23 September 2023

‘life affirming and very funny’ ★★★ ½

This is an unmissable chance to see Laura Wade’s play, Colder Than Here, which was first performed at Soho Theatre in 2005. It is about a dying woman arranging her own funeral. If that sounds grim, it really isn’t, it is life affirming and has many laugh-out-loud moments.  

The first scene is set at a burial ground, as the family are searching for the perfect resting place for Myra (Laura Fitzpatrick) who is taking control of her own last wishes. The family respond in various ways according to their natures. Her younger daughter Jenna (Lisa Minichiello) seeks attention, she has boyfriend trouble and a past case of bulimia is hinted at, her older daughter Harriet (Emma Riches) is stronger and more able to cope, whilst husband Alec (Michael Tuffnell) is the strong silent type, who struggles to show his feelings and immerses himself in music.

Alongside the precipitous event, of encroaching loss, the family are also continuing with their normal daily lives.  Some of the humour might be from a bygone age (almost 20 years ago), but much of it is still fresh. Going through the spice rack and discovering that the sell-by dates have long gone, the frustrations of trying to get the boiler fixed and being kept on hold (rather alarmingly the call centre is hundreds of miles away in Scotland).  It is these familiar scenes that are so endearing about the play. On the night the stand-out performance came from Michael Tuffnell as Alec. The scene on the sofa with his wife in which he shows his affection towards her is particularly touching. 

The cast do a good job of working together as a family unit and most of the jokes land. The script is incredibly demanding, so at times it feels a little under-rehearsed, but it is sure to bed in over the three-week run.   The scene changes also looked a little clumsy and overlong, but they were filled with excellent and powerful music choices, which were relevant to the script.

The show is produced by new female led company Upper Hand Theatre founded by the two younger actors. It feels like a brave choice to go straight in at the top with a Laura Wade play with all its intricacies and its precise dialogue, but it does have the huge advantage of offering three meaty female roles and the company have the benefit of a very experienced director in Jenny Eastop.

Catch this family drama while you can, you might have to wait another 20 years before you get another chance.

Photography credit:  Tom Godber

Colder Than Here by Laura Wade

Produced by Upper Hand Theatre

Brockley Jack Theatre,

Tues 5th – Sat 23rd September at 7.30pm

Box Office: https://brockleyjack.co.uk/jackstudio-entry/colder-than-here/

Directed by directed by Jenny Eastop

Cast

Myra – Laura Fitzpatrick

Alec – Michael Tuffnell

Harriet – Emma Riches

Jenna – Lisa Minichiello

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery