Writer and Director: Tilly Thorp
The final line of Waves is worth the ticket price alone. It comes like a shocking truth that takes the breath away. The story of three young girls grieving the death of their mother is stylishly and energetically performed, but it could do with more meat on its bones.
Jasmine, Mae and Tansy are staying with their cousin Cleo in London. Older, Cleo becomes like a mother to the three sisters, but they are also her friends. They love the capital, and so when their father meets a new woman and plans to move to New Zealand, all four girls are upset. They know they cannot fight against the wishes of their father, and so acquiesce quietly.
There’s little more to the story, which is confusing at parts as the three sisters call their step-mother “mum”. Initially, these scenes could be interpreted as flashbacks. It takes a while to realise that the story is mainly a linear one and that the girls have already arrived in New Zealand.
Between the scenes are wonderful sections of spoken word, about London and about grief. However, sometimes the music is so loud – well, at least in the back row it is – that many phrases get lost despite the actors’ spirited shouting to be heard. During these parts, there is also some inventive and gently touching movement between the girls.
Grace Clinton is excellent as the older Cleo, who is left alone in London. Waves is her narrative, rather than the girls’, exploring a different kind of grief. Munashe Danga is wonderfully understated as the stoic eldest sister Jasmine. The two younger siblings, moody football-mad Mae and the eternally sweet Tansy, are played by Agnes Frankin-Hardy and Amy Sheppard, but they have less to do.
As a play about female friendship, sisters and mothers, Waves certainly comes up trumps. But there’s a suspicion that these waters could be more deeply plumbed.
Runs until 16 August 2025
Camden Fringe runs until 24 August 2025
