All The Happy Things by Naomi Denny. Soho Theatre Upstairs, 21 Dean Street, London W1D until 26 April 2025,4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

Photo Credit: Alex Brenner.

All The Happy Things by Naomi Denny. Soho Theatre Upstairs, 21 Dean Street, London W1D until 26 April 2025,

4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“Sisters, devoted sisters.”

A terrific cast led by Naomi Denny is the reason for the stars. Her play itself is interesting but it does not quite achieve all her aims and at times some of the voice over moments simply do not work. In a way it is a work in progress as a production. But as a story about sisters and how Sienna, played by Denny, is affected by the death sister Emily, played by LJ Johnson, it is moving and funny at the same time. Denny and Johnson have some stunning sequences when they perform together – all credit to movement director YemurAai Zvayara - and they do create a real tension when it comes to the rivalry between the sisters. Meanwhile Dejon Mullings does an impressive double as Sienna's boyfriend and her psychiatrist. Sienna is in trouble – work is getting her down, a colleague is getting preference her relationship with her elderly parents and what is happening in her father's carehome is adding to the stress she is under and then there is her grief, the loss of the sister on whom she depended, fought with, loved. It all works beautifully but hopefully the run will lead to some second thoughts to clear up the way the voices interact with the life performers so that by the time it reaches Edinburgh it would be a 4All The Happy Things by Naomi Denny. Soho Theatre Uopstairs, 21 Dean Street, London W1D until 26 April 2025, 4☆☆☆☆ play being formed rather than at the moment one getting  4☆☆☆☆ performances.

Cast

Naomi Denny – Sienna

Dejon Mullings – Sam/Kevin

LJ Johnson – Emily/Ruby

Voice Over cast

Patrick McKenzie – Dad/Clive

Rowena Lennon – Maggie

Lydia King – Mum

Creatives

Director – Lucy Jane Atkinson

Designer – Jida Akil

Lighting Designer – Abi Turner

Sound Designer & Composer – Eamonn O Dwyer

Movement Directir – Yemurai Zvayara