The Heights

The Heights was written by Lisa McGee (of Derry Girls fame) and tells the story of Lillie Lee who lives on the sixth floor of The Heights estate, a place where nothing ever happens.  However, holed up in her room due to an illness and watching the world go by Lillie’s imagination generates stories.  Stories which are ‘sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes wonderful and sometimes terrible’ and the young people of Yew Tree Youth Theatre were excellent at bringing these stories into a vivid reality.

Director Sarah Osborne works with the young people to develop performers and engages them throughout the production and direction process.  Rather than promoting the opportunities this play presents as being a gender-blind casting the young people were encouraged to explore the roles and decide which characters interested them and to bring their own interpretation rather than consider the gender. This led to a truly enigmatic cast where the focus was on both the relationships between the characters, but also the internal relationship wrangles within our own personalities that anyone can experience.

Ollie Watkins was a very engaging Lillie – enticingly setting the scene with movement to music and lyrics written by The Smiths (instantly impressing the writer who owned the 1984 album – obviously on vinyl).  An excellent performance from Watkins who never left the stage and who maintained the intensity of the character throughout – not least when doubling as Pat’s mother.   Cait Frampton played both Jacob and Sampson whilst largely narrating the story – with excellent projection, clarity and rhythm to beautifully tell the story of the storyteller.  Eliana Grundy was an energetic and commanding Dara - strong delivery and depth of performance really added to this character.

Clarity of delivery was a theme in this production, with strong language and some challenging themes the cast did not once slip and maintained pace throughout.  The movement was well thought through and the characters of Boyle (Robin Boughton), Webb (Alice Lamb) and Jimmy (Harriet Hornshaw) gave excellent performances and held their characters.

Alise Germova and Matthew Tordoff as Pat and Matt respectively brought an unexpected comedic interlude which was very entertaining and both gave a strong performance with great timing and good physicality.  The puppetry was delightful and Arwan Dale excellent as ‘The Nice Woman’ – the properties were well thought out and the technical delivery was very strong and well timed.  The puppets had been skilfully  made my Robyn Boughton, Natasha and Wren Lunt.

The play was doubled cast and I am assured that the alternates were just as strong.  My apologies to Natasha Lunt, Arwen Dale and Jeevan Ganatra whom I didn’t see in their main roles, but I commend on also taking on supporting roles and delivering them so well.

Once again the production was a technical success and to Yew Tree’s high standards with strong, clear diction and excellent direction.  The costumes were appropriate for the story and the lighting, sound and props did not fail the high standard of the rest of the production.  There was also a very well produced programme and poster – well done Jeevan Ganatra and Alise Germova. 

‘The Heights’ will be performed at Sheffield Crucible in the NT Connections series on Thursday 23rd March, 2023 so there is still chance to see this production by following the link

https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/nt-connections-festival-day-2-2023

Congratulations to everyone involved and very best wishes for your performance in Sheffield.

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