REVIEW: Kindred Spirits by Ross McGregor, (Brockley) Jack Studio Theatre until 8 Jan 2022

‘effectively moves us through two narratives and sets up a clever series of comic opportunities. ’ ★★★★

What story is this? An apparition appears to a standoffish recluse who has been disappointed in love and wishes to be alone at Christmas.

No, it’s not the story you’re thinking of.

Ross McGregor’s Kindred Spirits is set in the 1930s in a country house with a young crime fiction writer (BRYAN MORIARTY) who has inherited the house from his bestselling romance writer aunt. Displaying a beautiful writing room with wooden shelves lined with the aunt’s novels, the play takes us through three very different genres: crime, romance, and comedy. By harnessing the haunted house and a young writer’s manuscript, the story effectively moves us through two narratives and sets up a clever series of comic opportunities.

All three members of the cast played more than one character and two of the three (RACHEL SUMMERS and BEN HIGGINS) played several roles, very impressively crossing gender lines, and changing intonation, accents, and body movements adeptly. A few times, the play would break the fourth wall with small comments humorously addressing the multi-role expectations. The two parallel story lines could at moments get confusing with the number of different roles played by a single person, but this was rare. The actors, complete with gorgeous fashion of the time and great choreographic direction, were able to differentiate well. 

There is a pervasive writing theme, complete with publisher’s expectations and literature fans’ devotion, as well as the difficulty of penning an interesting story which readers want to read. The verbal sparring and pun humour was delightful, offering an attentive audience member a series of gentle giggles throughout the production. Lovely musical interludes with simple dance moves were easily justified by paranormal activity.

Speaking of refreshing... that's what this show is: a festive touch sprinkled on a unique multi-genre, multi-role play that pays homage to one of the greatest of Christmas season stories yet creates its own place in history. Clearly, Ross McGregor knows how to pen his own story.

Kindred Spirits by Ross McGregor

Brockley Jack Studio Theatre

14 Dec 2021 - 8 Jan 2022

Box Office: https://brockleyjack.co.uk/jackstudio-entry/kindred-spirits/

Written by Ross McGregor

Performed by Bryan Moriarty, Rachel Summers, Ben Higgins

Directed by Kate Bannister

Set Design: Karl Swinyard

Costume Design: Martin J Robinson

Lighting Design: Robbie Butler

Sound Design and Composition: Julian Starr

Song Composition: Joseph Hardy

Assistant Director & SM: Maddy Corner and Laurel Marks

Dance Choreography: Tessa Guerrero

Design Assistant: Vita Sunshine

Produced by the Jack Studio Theatre

Reviewer: Mariam Mathew is an alumnus of Guardian critic Mark Fisher’s theatre criticism course and an aspiring playwright.