The Cost of You By Andrew Sharpe

The Cost of You by Andrew Sharpe, The Criterion Theatre, Earlsdon, Coventry, from 12 to 15 July 2023 at 8pm.

Preview by Margaret Egrot

The next play at the Criterion Theatre in Coventry is a studio production of The Cost of You written by local playwright, and Criterion company member, Andrew Sharpe. It is directed by Christine Ingall, with a cast including longstanding Criterion actors Karen Evans, Lilian McGrath and Michael Hammond, alongside a new member of the company - Dammy Olaniyan.

The Cost of You is a modern family drama and a love story. Jo, who is unhappily married, is on the brink of coming out and leaving her husband for another woman when her daughter is killed in a road crash. Should she sacrifice her new relationship to hold her family together? The story is presented in reverse chronological order. Despite a tragedy at its centre, the play is full of humour and provides an entertaining commentary on the human condition.

The Criterion Theatre, Earlsdon. Photo courtesy of the Criterion.

For many years a partner in a law firm in Coventry, Andrew has been a playwright for a decade, with many credits to his name, mostly in London and the southeast. He is best known at the Criterion theatre for producing the Springboard Festival earlier this year. In previous years he has played Talbot in Mary Stuart, Father in The Railway Children, and he has made several appearances with the band Steamchicken. He has a long history in performing arts as a musician, actor, organiser, poet, pianist, theatre reviewer, artist, manager, and producer, at multiple venues.

In regard to The Cost of You, he says he felt impelled to write the play after meeting ‘Jo,’ a 50-year-old woman who had given of herself all of her life, and finds happiness, only for it to be snatched away by tragedy. A character like that, he says, with her spirit, her sacrifice, and selflessness, demands to have her story put front and centre.

Does he achieve this? Based on listening in on the initial read through of the script, I would give a resounding YES! But go along to the theatre next week and see for yourself.The production, which last for one hour, runs from Wednesday 12 July to Saturday 15 July, at 8pm and tickets are available now at https://www.criteriontheatre.co.uk/tickets. Tickets cost £10.00 for members and £12.50 for non-members.