Allelujah!

Allelujah is the latest play by Alan Bennett, writer of History Boys and Talking Heads among many other well known novels. It follows a choir on a geriatric ward in a soon-to-be-closed hospital. With sing-a-long moments, this state of the nation play will surely delight you.

Price I paid: £20
Where I got the tickets: Today Tix
Tickets range from: £15-£65
Theatre: Bridge Theatre
Dates: 11th July-29th September
Rating: ★★★★

Now, I will preface this by sharing a negative. During the interval my theatre friend heard a passing woman mutter with disdain ‘well, it’s a bit predictable‘ — that is part of Alan Bennett’s charm. He embraces the everyday, embraces the tropes and we ought to love him all the more for it as proven in this brilliant piece of theatre.

Bennett’s writing, teamed with the fantastic cast and the simplistic direction of Nicolas Hytner all comes together to hit out directly at various things going on in our nation today: immigrants being deported after spending years here forging a life, people being seen as being too ‘friendly’ when their acts are entirely innocent, the sometimes awful things happening behind hospital doors and how the Conservative government views non-private health centers and hospitals.

The cast sings songs throughout, both known and unknown depending on your age, which breaks up some of the more poignant moments of the play and brings light to the stage. Sung by the troupe with some charming choreography from Arlene Phillips, the music underpins he episodic moments of the play.

A wonderful piece featuring a variant of characters with some truly shining performances: Jeff Rawle taking the role of an ageing miner and Samuel Barnett as his Conservative son Colin who bicker in a way that is only endearing. Other memorable performances include Simon Williams as Ambrose – an ex-school master whose sharp attitude surely won my heart, Deborah Findlay playing the Sister who you come to love.. and then don’t and Sacha Dhawan as the gentle and loving (and aptly named) Doctor Valentine.

For further information and to book see the Bridge Theatre’s website or the TodayTix app.