Wish You Weren’t Here, Soho Theatre review
Wish You Weren’t Here, a Theatre Centre and Sheffield Theatres collaboration written by Katie Redford has been created in conversation with hundreds of young people across the country. While this is a mere 60-minute play it miraculously manages to touch on much of what is on the minds of young people today, as well as portraying the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship.
The set designed by Bethany Wells feels very Edinburgh Fringe in that it is modest, simple but cleverly effective. Three TV screens set the scenes of beach, restaurant, and games arcade. Five different height platforms are used as beds, sandy beach, clifftops, and a variety of props emerging from their holiday suitcases.
The scene is set as single Mum ,Lorna (played by Eleanor Henderson) and daughter Mila (Olivia Pentelow), arrive in Scarborough for a holiday to celebrate her GCSE results. Lorna is a mum earnestly wanting to treat her daughter and hoping for some quality time but is soon found struggling to understand why Mila can’t just enjoy the trip and have some fun instead of wishing she was elsewhere celebrating with her friends.
Having scrimped and saved from her less-than-satisfactory job at a call centre Lorna has arranged a ‘premium’ room, booked a ‘proper’ restaurant, but it turns out it is not just her and Mila on this holiday as Mila pulls out a zip lock bag with her Nan’s ashes. Mila is clearly still mourning her loss of the person who she sees as more of a mum to her than her own. Scarborough is where they used to come when Mila was a child and Nan was still alive, and it is here where she wishes to scatter her ashes and say a few words which Lorna declines to do.
A catalogue of grievances reveals themselves and it is painful to see how hard Lorna tries to keep her daughter happy. There are many unappreciated, earnest mothers who will see themselves reflected in these scenes and will identify with the difficulties of dealing with their sulky, critical, sarcastic teenage daughters they love so fiercely. We come to partially see and understand the teenage behaviors as the thoughts and doubts of a teenager seep out - concerns over plastic straws, despair at her mum’s generation’s apathy, ‘the world is on fire’ climate change concerns, how to dress and not dress, friendships, boyfriends….it is A LOT. She sends a risqué photo to her boyfriend and is clearly mortified. This story line and the struggle of Lorna’s strained relationship with her mother when she became pregnant at 16 with a mixed-race child are touched upon but cannot be delved into too much in the sixty-minute production. Not necessarily a bad thing as some things can be left to the audience’s imagination perhaps provoking extended individual thought.
Between Henderson and Pentelow’s impeccable comic timing we see several laugh out loud exchanges as well as many touching moments while they face their challenges - the lonliness of single motherhood, the tumult of adolescence, and the perpetual quest for self-worth and how to navigate their relationship and lives. Their longing for connection and understanding bubbles on the surface throughout the play culminating in a tender moment between them. Wish You Weren’t Here has you leaving the theatre entertained, with a warm heart and contemplating the intricacies of mother-daughter bonds.
Date: 19 - February - 2 March 2024. Location: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, London W1D 3NE. Running time: 60 min. Price: £17.00. Book now.
Words by Natascha Milsom
Boxcar is known for its British produce and meaty menu, ranging from a 32-day dry-aged beef burger to a 750g Côte de Boeuf, and everything in between…
The beloved British tradition is for some an annual Christmas time event, ranging from adult only performances to a more family affair with tongue in cheek innuendo that usually goes over the heads of younger audience members but gives the adults in the room a good opportunity to laugh out loud…
Tuckshop’s Peter Pan pantomime is from Christopher Clegg the creator of Death Drop, Cool Rider, Gals Aloud and written by Gareth Joyner (A Christmas Carole, Dick Whittington)…
Written and directed by the 2023 and 2019 OFFIE Winner and 2023 British Panto Award winner Andrew Pollard the cast includes the voices of Dame Judi Dench who’s recognisable and soothing voice provide the narration, Miriam Margoylesis the Evil Stepmother and Sue Pollard is the Swan…
FLO London’s pick of things to do in London between Christmas and New Year’s Eve…Whether you want to embrace the festive magic or simply relax with loved ones, this Twixmas guide ensures you make the most of the holiday season in style.
New Contemporaries returns to the ICA in January 2025, showcasing 35 emerging UK artists…
The new KIN restaurant in Fitzrovia opened on 30 November 2024. The plant-based restaurant is an expansion of the popular KIN Café next door which will continue to serve its signature breakfast, brunch and take-away options…
Farshid Moussavi leads the 2025 Royal Academy of Arts summer exhibition, focusing on art’s ability to foster dialogue on key societal issues…
Rarely seen artistic works by Victor Hugo will go on display at the Royal Academy of Arts in 2025, for the first time in over 50 years.
A week-long luxury pop-up shop in December, featuring celebrity-donated fashion, aims to support Crisis in tackling homelessness…
SILVA is a relaxed yet refined restaurant with a woodland-inspired theme, seasonal menus, and elegant design touches…
In 2025, the V&A will open a major exhibition dedicated to Cartier, featuring over 350 iconic pieces, including jewels worn by Queen Elizabeth II and Rihanna, exploring the brand’s legacy and craftsmanship…
Highgate International Chamber Music Festival · Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre · Carols at the Royal Albert Hall · Hotel Chocolat Tasting Experience · YARDLIFE at Dalston Yard · Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet · The Tempest at Theatre Royal Drury Lane · Hot Chocolate Trail at Old Spitalfields Market · Electric Brixton · The Nutcracker · Camille Walala and Alex Booker · Sh!t Actually · Baileys Christmas Sip and Sing · HUMO Winter Charity Lunch · Ever After Garden ·
Major works from the Oskar Reinhart Collection ‘Am Römerholz’ to be displayed outside Switzerland for the first time.
Holy Carrot, located on Portobello Road, is a stylish and sustainable plant-based restaurant offering a fresh alternative to the area’s burger-heavy dining scene.
Khandakar Ohida wins the Jameel Prize for her work on cultural heritage, as the ‘Jameel Prize: Moving Images’ exhibition showcasing shortlisted artists opens at the V&A South Kensington.
UP Projects and LLDC partner with artist Sahra Hersi to create a public art piece focused on safety and inclusivity for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals in the Marshgate Lane area…
Artist Anna Lomax reimagines the Christmas tree as a playful, light-filled installation celebrating strength, tradition, and festive joy at the V&A…
One of Hoxton’s favourite brunch spots - Friends of Ours has a new pop up in The Magazine restaurant site located at the Serpentine North Gallery…
Belmond unveils the Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train, UK the first luxury sleeper train in England & Wales. Launching in July 2025, this innovative train blends British heritage, fine dining, and cultural exploration for an unforgettable travel experience…
London’s dazzling Winter Lights festival returns with 11 new installations and iconic displays, transforming Canary Wharf from 21 January 2025…
The UK Premiere of Antony Hamilton’s award winning piece 4/4 performed by Melbourne based Chunky Move, a leading Australian dance company, known for being on the boundary in the art form.…