The Greatest Play in the History of the World

[Rory]

[joem]

Nothing, because you'd be deaded.

[Steve]

While the play could probably be more accurately described as "The Greatest Knock-off in the World of Daniel Kitson's 'It's Always Right Now Until It's Later' that doesn't infringe Copyright," Julie Hesmondhalgh can probably be accurately described as "the nicest and most personable person in the world," as well as a brilliant storyteller (at least as good as Kitson himself, possibly better, for how excited and involved that she makes you feel), and the story is a good one, if a tad too fanciful for my taste. Fun!

Some spoilers. . .

All the Kitson elements are in place: the single storyteller, the multiple viewpoints from multiple characters, the jumping around in the timeline, the minutely observed descriptions of very little things contrasted with grand descriptions of vastly large things, the jigsaw-like progression of the story towards completeness.

What you don't get: is Kitson's edginess, the feeling he might suddenly swerve and challenge you, and his constant swearing;

What you do get is: Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper from Corrie), a dynamo of self-deprecation, improvising conversations with the audience before the show starts, in the most charming and winning possible way; and you get front-row audience participation that asks some members of the audience (again, front row only when I saw it) to remove their shoes, so she can use those shoes as props in the story.

All in all, I enjoyed the story, despite it's familiarity, and I loved Hesmondhalgh. You will too if you see this!

3 and a half stars (from me)
But 4 stars (if you've never seen Kitson before).

[lou105]

This was my first show "back" and a great start! I agree with previous comments about how engaging and generally lovely Julie Hesmondhalgh is. Participation avoiders may wish to know that covid has led her to bringing her own prop shoes. There's a little gentle engagement with people near the front, but nothing requiring standing up! Seventy minutes straight through, and you leave with a smile, if a little moist eyed in some cases.

[lynette]

I’m sorry, you remove your shoes?? To what extremes will our darling writers take us next, I dread to think.