Originating at the Hampstead Theatre in 2011, Di and Viv and Rose makes its way to the West End with some brilliant performances.
Amelia Bullmore’s play tells the story of the three titular girls and charts their life, starting by them moving into a house together at university and spanning decades, with the audience seeing glimpses into their lives along the way. You have Di, a sporty lesbian, Viv, a career driven academic and Rose, a promiscuous yet sweet young girl. You see how they bond, change and grow as the years go on.
“The way Bullmore allows the characters to grow is welcomed, as you really do care for these three girls”
A recurring piece of the set is what we first see, three light frames on black surfaces. These are here to cover set changes but are also used as standing points for the three actors to keep the play going. The entirety of the first act, excluding the opening in front of the frames, is set within the house. The set, and majority of the play, is entirely naturalistic, with what appears to be a student house, from the wallpaper to the sofa to the shelves and kitchen hole in the wall. The second act set consists of three walls, the side ones with doors, with tables and chairs appearing and disappearing based on the scene. Paul Wills’ set is fully utilised and works wonders for the piece. The sound design incorporates door sounds and the stereo system and with impeccable timing and panning, it adds to the already clear naturalism.
Bullmore’s script is largely comedic. She appears to be a master at dropping bombshells when you least suspect them, with two moments (which I won’t spoil) hitting the audience really hard, to which I heard the entire theatre gasp. However, even in some of the heavier moments in the play, there are elements of comedy, which are fed in at just the right level, not too much to ruin a moment, yet not too little so the joke is lost. This isn’t easy so I admire Bullmore for that. Whilst initially the characters appear to be stereotypes, the way Bullmore allows the characters grow is welcomed, as you do really care for these three girls, particularly with the writing in act two, which is a step up from before.
“All three have their moments of comedy and drama that are pulled off equally well”
Not having read the play, I don’t know if the were written stage directions or if it was one of Anna Mackmin’s directorial choices, but there were a lot of pauses, mainly in the first act. Whilst some of them had purpose, others didn’t and it slowed the pace of the play. I reckon it might have been a times trying to be too naturalistic, but I can cope with a few pacing issues when I’m watching this perfect trio.
The cast were just fantastic with wonderful chemistry. All three have their moments of comedy and drama that are pulled off equally well. I am once again shown that Jenna Russell can do no wrong, as the ditsy character of Rose, that could easily be a secondary character at times, is possibly the one you first care for the most. She is fun, loving and sweet, but not in a two-dimensional way. Her charisma fills the theatre. Just like the other two, she is always changing and growing. Samantha Spiro is appropriately cold as Viv but still has her moments of fun. Even though it’s tough to like her due to the nature of the character, you still care, particularly come act two. Tamzin Outhwaite, who has been with the play since Hampstead is wonderful as Di. When her big moment comes in act one, she captures the necessary emotion (I won’t say what) and girth needed, and she is particularly strong here in act two. You can tell that Outhwaite has been with this play the longest as every move, line and expression is pitch perfect.
Whilst the play takes a bit to get revved up, once it does, it hits hard, in both a dramatic and a comedic sense. ‘It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry’ really does apply here, with something for everyone. If for no other reason, catch this cast working together because it has moments of pure magic.
Photo credits: Johan Persson, Visit London, WhatsOnStage, Love Theatre
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