A Taste of Honey at The Lowry, Manchester Review
A Taste of Honey
The Lowry, Manchester
10-14 June 2014
Reviewed by Debbie Tasker
Shelagh Delaney was born in Salford in 1939 into a working class family. At the age of 19 she wrote the fantastic A Taste of Honey which became an instant hit when it was first staged in 1959.In 1961 it became a film that has stood the test of time and is still a favourite with the females in my family. So you can imagine how excited we were to be attending the opening night at The Lowry in Salford last night. What better place would there be to see this superb show? The Lyric is the smaller of the two theatres and was intimate enough to make you feel you really were in the grubby back street bedsit with Helen and Jo. Staff were friendly and there were plenty of them on hand to help.
While sat having a pre-show drink three members of the cast came into the bar and performed a few songs accompanied by washboard, kazoo, banjo and a washtub bass. They were brilliant and got everybody in the mood with their rendition of well-known hits from the 50s.
Mark Babych directs and does an excellent job. Set in a backstreet bedsit that overlooks the gasworks and slaughterhouse Helen is a tarty awful woman with loose morals who has a string of fancy men and has never been much of a mum to poor 15 year old Jo who has grown into a bit of an odd ball and is left to fend for herself when Helen marries obnoxious drunk Peter Smith. After a brief affair with black sailor Jimmy Jo finds herself pregnant and alone. But determined to manage she takes two jobs and moves her friend gay art student Geoff in for company and help.
Rebecca Ryan who is most probably known from Shameless and Waterloo Road portrays Jo perfectly. A sad lonely neglected childhood has made her a strong adolescent with lots of character. Julie Riley as Helen gives a powerful performance and at time the audience’s reaction shows just how effective her acting ability is in bringing this unliked character to life. James Weaver as the laughable sleazy drinker Peter is so true to life on many occasions he had me giggling and gasping with his behaviour. Lekan Lawal is gentle sailor Jimmie his performance didn’t capture me I am afraid to say. It felt like there was something missing. Christopher Hancock as the lovely caring home maker Geoff gave a tender performance his warmness shone through and his connection with Jo was touching.
The set is the bedsit with a small outside area. The latter being used for the band to perform and a few other scenes. The backdrop is a skyline that changes throughout depending on the time of day. There is also an elevated platform made into an exit for the cast to leave and return to the stage.
We loved this play with a powerful narrative showing a dysfunctional family is both funny and painful to watch at times. A must for fans of the novel and film. But also anybody who appreciates excellent writing brought to life.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £18 to £24 (includes £2 booking fee).
A Taste of Honey is at The Lowry until 14 June 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
