Living At Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Latesha Brown
Living, written by Leo Butler and directed by Abigail Graham currently showing at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse in Sheffield, is a moving and reflective piece of theatre that stays with you long after you have left. Spanning 55 years from the 1970s to present day, the entire production is set within one Sheffield living room, which sounds simple but actually works so effectively. It felt intimate, immersive, and very real-like you were sitting in with them, watching life unfold over time.
We are first introduced to Kathy and Brian as they move into their Sheffield home on Burngreave Road, starting out their family life together, and from there the audience is taken on a journey through the decades. It explores so many different moments that most of us have either experienced ourselves or recognised- raising a family, changing relationships, loss, milestones- including all of the highs and lows that come with living. What I really liked was how the play used major political and cultural events to mark the passing of time. Whether it was sport, wider world events or even the pandemic, it all felt very true to British life and helped keep the story grounded. It wasn’t overdone either, just enough to anchor each era and make it relatable.
The casting was brilliant across the board. Liz White as Kathy and Kenny Doughty as Brian were both outstanding and really carried the emotional weight of the piece. Their performances felt natural and believable, which is so important in something like this where you are following characters over such a long period of time. The wider cast were just as impressive, each actor playing multiple roles, sometimes three or more, switching between them so seamlessly. I was genuinely amazed at how slick the transitions were, with scenes moving quickly and actors often finishing each other’s sentences to keep the pace going. It never felt disjointed, just really well rehearsed and tight.
The set itself worked very well throughout, and the Playhouse was the perfect space for it. It was more intimate than the main theatre, and made the whole experience feel more personal and immersive. The living room evolved subtly over time to reflect different eras, and I liked that the date was displayed on screen throughout, which helped you keep track of where you were in the timeline without having to think too much about it. It all felt very considered without being overcomplicated.
It was definitely an emotional journey, there were moments of real joy and laughter, but also sadness, and it struck a really good balance between the two. The audience were completely gripped throughout and you could feel how quiet the room was, everyone fully absorbed in what was happening on stage, with plenty of genuine laugh out loud moments as well. Even after the show finished, I found myself reflecting on it, which for me is always a sign of something that’s done well. One thing to note is that there is quite a lot of smoking on stage. It didn’t personally bother me, but the room does get slightly smoky, so it’s worth being aware of. That said, it added to the authenticity of the different time periods and the overall realism of the production.
Overall, Living is a very relatable and well-observed piece that captures the reality of family life in a really honest way. It does not try too hard, but still manages to say a lot about what it means to live- the good, the difficult, and everything in between. I would definitely recommend it especially if you enjoy theatre that feels grounded, reflective and true to everyday life.
Rating: 4/5
Living is on at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Crucible Theatre from 14 March to 14 April 2026. Tickets start from £28. For more information or to book tickets at the Crucible Theatre Sheffield, visit: www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or call the Box Office on: 0114 249 6000