Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Jake Abrahams, Gemma Brodrick, Eithne Browne, Paul Duckworth, Lynn Francis, Jamie Greer.

Once in a lullaby…such dreams are made of, the chance to see how life brought you to this point, and one that comes out of shock and the game played out by adversity. All you have to remember is that to follow the Yellow Breck Road might mot lead you to the wizard, but it will lead you to a place in which the tragedy and humour of life go hand in hand, where joy is welcome, where the despicable finally get their just deserts.

For writer Gerry Linford, it might be argued that to sit down and take on another stirring production in the wake of the outstanding The Miracle Of Great Homer Street would have been daunting, it probably would have had them floundering as how to see that production as the bench mark and how to make their follow up play, even greater, adding unfortunate bells and whistles to a scene or act which didn’t require any extra bounty. Such arguments should not exist, the next story is the next story regardless, however when that flash of inspiration leads you to a play such as Yellow Breck Road, then even a wizard would admit that miracles are best left in the hands of the saints and the beauty of theatre in the ideas of writers, actors and directors.

Dot is loved to the moon and back by her family, but like many young adults now, their place in the world seems unassured, the sense of frustration at not being able to fight the injustice to which we have allowed our lives in which to sink is felt perhaps more keenly by those who didn’t grow up as children in the aftermath of World War Two, nor by those who proudly hold the flag of nihilism created by Generation X, the awareness of the thoughts held by those who have been left behind is like a series of wires waiting to be put into an order and the resulting shock is one that is glorious and life affirming.

Gemma Brodrick, who plays Dot, truly embraces this awareness and to see her character suffer initially from low level anxiety, not being able to leave the house and putting up with the acid barbs of a good hearted nan, portrayed with immense pleasure by Eithne Browne, her parent’s concerns of her future, a feckless, but understanding uncle and the spectre of a landlord hovering over their lives, all is played out with great charm and unspoilt pleasure.

Lynn Francis, who captures the heart as Dot’s Mum Carol, has always been a huge source of theatrical pleasure, especially when at the Royal Court, in Yellow Breck Road she is absolutely on top form, her appeal as a genuinely comedic actor is untameable, unstoppable, and working alongside Paul Duckworth, Jake Abrahams, Gemma Brodrick, Jamie Greer and Eithne Browne only increases the appreciation for her craft and timing.

Once in a lullaby…made complete by a combination of great writing, superbly envisaged characters and the reality of living as we do in a society that cares more for getting one over on people than it does for helping others, Yellow Breck Road is a beautiful addition to the works of Gerry Linford.

Ian D. Hall