REVIEW: THE QUEEN OF QUEX ROAD by Erin Holland at Bread and Roses Theatre 4 – 15 March 2025

‘Subtext, dramatic irony and outrageous comments add piquancy to this hilarious comedy drama.’ ★★★★ ½ 

THE QUEEN OF QUEX ROAD by ERIN HOLLAND is the winner of Bread and Roses 2024 play writing award.  Loosely based on Holland’s own family of strong women, the comedy drama focuses on three generations. In the backstory Kathleen and her pregnant daughter Moira Kathleen flee Belfast in the early 90s, leaving The Troubles behind for a better life in Kilburn. The action begins with Moira’s daughter bringing her mystery boyfriend to meet the family.  They're praying to God that he’s a good catholic boy from an Irish family however, Niamh’s boyfriend is from a very different community. With Moira receiving news which puts her on the brink of a nervous breakdown and Kathleen revealing her true persona, Niamh's new boyfriend finds himself in an incendiary situation. 

It is something like a sparring match between the boyfriend and Kathleen with plenty of subtext and outrageous comments which make the hackles rise. Added to this the punch of dramatic irony hits home throughout the play.  Hilarious, to the point of exhaustion, the comedy has a much needed break which allows audiences to collect themselves ready for the next round. Interestingly, The second act, as well as growing far more farcical also has moment of very effecting tragedy.  The hidden pain of family secrets and past damage surfaces, adding poignancy to the story and further criticism of society’s prejudices.  Ultimately, the show reminds us that we have so much to learn from each other. 

The wonderful script from Holland is in safe hands, with excellent direction from RYAN MCVEIGH, not a single funny line is missed. The whole show moves at a perfect pace with excellent use of the space, with audience on three sides giving an immersive feel to the show. Big praise too for fight director AMY FLOYD and intimacy co-ordinator KIM WRIGHT. The fight scene in slow motion still looks a tough one to pull off without any actors getting hurt. It is very effective although I must admit I personally found it shocking more than comic but the audience were killing themselves. The intimacy between the young lovers is just gorgeous and totally believable. 

ALICE UNITT is adorable as Niamh. We surely all remember being this idealistic and a powerful influence on family politics. Her boyfriend, Hamed, played by WALEED HAMMAD is beautifully structured and a wonderful foil for Kathleen. The scenes between him and Niamh really sizzle, whilst the scenes between him and Kathleen are truly antagonistic and provocative. 

PAULA BENSON as Kathleen is an absolute revelation.  This woman is a born comedy actress, with so much detail, and a huge range of facial expressions which speak louder than any words. The words are also really good, although the Northern Irish accent isn’t perfect yet, it is getting there. 

ORLA SANDERS as Moira seems too young to be playing a middle aged woman (and that wig is such an obvious syrup) but as she grows into the role it quickly becomes apparent that she is authentically Irish, and the slightly madcap response to the part is tempered with some fine moments of inner depth and turmoil. 

The drama is a triumph for producer AMY TAYLOR and creative producers VELENZIA SPEARPOINT and REBECCA PRYLE. They have really pulled it out of the bag and it is such a credit to the ability of small venues to bring powerful work to the stage. 

Read our interview with writer ERIN HOLLAND here

THE QUEEN OF QUEX ROAD by Erin Holland at Bread and Roses Theatre 4 – 15 March 2025

BOX OFFICE

CREATIVES

PLAYWRIGHT | ERIN HOLLAND 

DIRECTOR | RYAN MCVEIGH 

SET & COSTUME DESIGNER   CONSTANCE VILLEMOT 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR | ELSPETH MCCOLL 

PRODUCER   AMY TAYLOR 

CREATIVE PRODUCERS | VELENZIA SPEARPOINT & REBECCA PRYLE 

LIGHTING DESIGNER & OPERATOR | RYAN LESTER 

SOUND DESIGNER | SASSY WATKINSON 

INTIMACY CO-ORDINATOR   KIM WRIGHT 

FIGHT DIRECTOR | SEAN ARGUE 

CAST 

KATHLEEN | PAULA BENSON 

MOIRA   ORLA SANDERS 

HAMED | WALEED HAMMAD 

NIAMH | ALICE UNITT