REVIEW: NETTLE SOUP: VOL 1 DEVON at The Hope Theatre 10-14 March 2026
‘An appealing concept’ ★★★
NETTLE SOUP presents a double bill of new plays by Devon writers, launching what promises to be a series showcasing regional voices and stories.
The first offering, “Temperance” by Izzy Harding-Perrott (image below), is set in Exeter Gaol in 1682 and dramatises the true story of Temperance Lloyd and Susannah Edwards, the last women executed for witchcraft in England.
The acting is strong throughout, and the script moves confidently between humour and fury. Harding-Perrott brings fiery determination to the title role, delivering an energetic and charismatic performance. Opposite her, Nance Turner provides a compelling counterpoint as Susannah. Initially treated as a figure of ridicule for her religious beliefs, Susannah gradually becomes Temperance’s ally, and the two women form a defiant partnership as they challenge the state that has condemned them.
Harding-Perrott’s writing makes several bold stylistic choices, weaving subtle modern touches into the period setting - Temperance wears trainers beneath her dress, and there’s even a reference to MDF. These moments lend the play a playful edge while reinforcing its contemporary relevance. The political parallels are clear: Harding-Perrott highlights the systemic inequalities faced by women and the working class, many of which remain recognisable today.
Director Tomas Howells keeps the staging fluid and focused. The set evokes the stark confines of a prison cell, with harsh lighting marking the passage of time and the slam of a jail door punctuating the women’s final days as they await execution.
The second play, “Leylines” by Dan Sinclair (image at head of page), begins strongly. Leigh is approached by Teri, a hiker, who is fascinated by leylines and reconnecting with nature. When Teri discovers Leigh’s home is for sale, she wastes no time in putting in an offer, but is she worthy?
Teddy Robinson is magnetic as Leigh, delivering a confident and engaging performance that shifts easily between comedy and drama, while Louise Gold is effective as Teri. However, the play loses some of its footing as it moves further into surreal territory. A folk-singing angel with wings made of rags who dances with a broom and swigs cider - introduces a heightened theatricality that sits awkwardly alongside the more grounded opening scenes. What begins as an intriguing exploration of rural identity gradually becomes preachy in its messaging about modern society’s disconnection from nature which ultimately disrupts the pacing.
Design across the evening remains minimal but effective. Straw scattered across the floor, a movable bench and a handful of props create a flexible playing space. Lighting is kept simple, while sound design provides atmospheric texture - the oppressive sounds of prison life in “Temperance” and a natural countryside soundscape for “Leylines”.
As a concept, NETTLE SOUP is an appealing one: a platform for regional writers and stories rooted in place. Yet despite the Devon focus, neither play feels particularly anchored to its setting. “Leylines”, in particular, foregrounds rural identity but could easily be set in the countryside almost anywhere in the UK. Nevertheless, NETTLE SOUP is an appealing initiative and a welcome platform for new writing. Devon is rich with folklore, history and myth, and future editions of the series will hopefully draw more deeply on the distinctive stories the region has to offer.
Nettle Soup & Stage Base Productions Present
NETTLE SOUP: VOL 1 DEVON
The Hope Theatre
10-14 March
Box Office:
https://www.thehopetheatre.com/nettlesoup
Images: Ciara Southwood
