Sarah Rickman's Kindling is a sharply observed ensemble drama that brings together five women in a forest in Wales, united by the memory of their absent friend, Mei. Her dying wish was for them to scatter her ashes, but as the rain falls and the wine flows, the gathering becomes less about ritual and more about revelation. Each woman discovers not only how Mei saw them, but also how they see themselves when confronted with uncomfortable truths.
The play explores themes of grief, friendship, perimenopause, and the search for identity with both humour and poignancy. The narrative recalls the camaraderie and emotional candour of Tim Firth's Sheila's Island and Calendar Girls, but Rickman's script stands firmly on its own, balancing laughter with moments of raw honesty.
Sarah is not only the writer but also delivers a great performance as Rose, who is accident-prone and undoubtedly on a spectrum, all of her own. Scarlette Alice Johnson, portrayal of Cathy is sublime as the optimistic peacemaker, whose cakes are as hard to swallow as her enthusiasm for yoga, HRT shots and renditions of Kum Ba Yah. Rendah Beshoori's Yves Saint Laurent luggage straight away defines what we should expect, and she doesn't disappoint as Jasmin, despite what is literally thrown at her physically and emotionally. Stacy Abalogan as Jules and Ciara Pouncett as Sue both give strong performances as the most unlikely to bond in the group. The light and shade of their characters help give an added level of tension to this play.
Not only is this an all-female cast, but it also has an all-female production team with Ciara as producer as well as performing. Do not assume that this is a feminist piece of writing sent to brow-beat men into a guilt trip; it is a well-crafted narrative that defines modern life, character and situation we can all identify with and had the audience emotionally invested with the characters throughout.
The production is enhanced by Abi Groves' set design, which convincingly transforms the Park Theatre's intimate space into a rain‑soaked woodland clearing. Subtle lighting and sound design further immerse the audience in the atmosphere of the piece.
Kindling offers a refreshing perspective without ever feeling didactic. Instead, it presents a well‑crafted story of modern womanhood that resonates widely. This is a play that entertains while prompting reflection, and it deserves to be seen by audiences beyond its current run.
It runs until 15 November.
Review: Claire Hogan Photo: Holly Darville