Family life peeled away in a most honest way

L to R: Rod Wilkinson, Julie Godfrey, Julien Rosa, Ruth Herd, Alice Arthur and Blake Hutchings. Photo credit Richard Smith Photography.

Things I Know To Be True by Andrew Bovell. Performed at The Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, from 7 – 17 May 2025. Director Lynda Lewis.

Review by Charles Essex

 Andrew Bovell’s incisive play explores the average family of a 30-year marriage and four children. Set in Australia, Director Lynda Lewis makes the very wise decision not to allow the actors to make any attempt at Australian accents.  This very strong cast probably would have made a very good fist of it but it means we keep our focus on the action and unfolding relationships within this tight-knit family…or is it?

Each of the children gets more than a moment in the spotlight.  Youngest daughter Rosie (Alice Arthur) has gone on the almost obligatory European trip and wonderfully conveys her infatuation with what she is convinced is her future husband. We can feel the pain of her broken heart when she is betrayed.

Julie Godfrey and Rod Wilkinson. Photo credit Richard Smith Photography.

When she returns home, she is greeted by her mother Fran (Julie Godfrey).  In dealing with all her children Julie brilliantly gave her character the right balance of caring contrasted with dominance and insensitivity, sometimes impatient and angry, especially with Pip (Ruth Herd), sometimes protective, with Ben (Blake Hutchings).

Ruth, as much older sister Pip, is on the receiving end of Julie’s wrath when she says she is leaving her husband and children. Ruth engages us with an agonising explanation of having fallen out of love with her husband, and taken a lover even though she knows it is more than likely he will not leave his wife.

Ruth Herd and Rod Wilkinson. Photo credit Richard Smith Photography.

Julien Rosa as Mark has held long term secrets and pain. The discussion with his parents, a speech he had prepared for many years, did not go as he wanted. Both Fran and his father Bob (Rod Wilkinson) struggle to accept what he tells them. Julien conveys a sense of isolation and aloneness, and his palpable regret that his family cannot understand him. He pleadingly says he just wants to love and be loved, something that regrettably his family cannot do.

When Ben (Blake Hutchings), seemingly financially successful, admits to fraudulent activity at work, conflict arises between the parents with Fran supportive and Bob angry at his son’s dishonesty. When Fran admits to her own secrets, Bob is distraught at what he sees as her deception. Further truths are revealed. Rod conveyed Bob’s good, solid, down-to-earth bloke’s persona, that sadly didn’t fulfil Fran’s needs.

Julien Rosa and Alice Arthur. Photo credit Richard Smith Photography.

The few choreographed scenes were unnecessary, not terribly very well done and did not add to the play. However, the brief re-enactments of earlier childhood events were relevant and enjoyable. This was a truly moving production with first rate acting, as one has come to expect from The Loft. 

Tickets from: https://lofttheatrecompany.com/