Must-see dark, tragic tale at Warwick theatre

Daughters is a play about dark family secrets and the effects of laddish behaviour.

Harry (Ralph Davis) is a poor rich boy living a lonely dissolute life. His friend Joe (Maanuv Thiera) likes a laugh with him. One day their blokey intimacy is shattered by the arrival of Ellie (Maddy Glasbey), Harry’s sister, who is on the run from their father (George Wilson). We don’t know what he has done, but in a chilling soliloquy he explains, “Your children should be everything. Mine aren’t.”

Daughters are the victims in this play, but they’re not the only ones. The lads talk derogatively about their girlfriends; Harry wants only money from his mum to feed his ravenous addiction to cocaine. The one ray of hope shines from Joe, who would stand by Ellie, but is out of his depth.

In the end we feel deeply sorry for Harry, who cannot bear to express the concern he so clearly feels for his sister. Daughters is a brave and tragic tale from a troupe bursting with talent. I’ve seen worse acting on the RSC stage. Go and see it!