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Grief and fluff: Tiger @OmnibusTheatre

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Death is something we all will face. After all, nobody gets out of here alive. But how do you get past it when grief is all you can feel? And this is the premise of Tiger, currently playing at Omnibus Theatre . It's a fascinating exploration of the stages of grief. And with a terrific cast to take you on this journey, it's an endearing and sweet story that has you engaged from the start, wondering what will happen next.  We are introduced to Alice (Poppy Allen-Quarmby) as she gives a stand-up routine. It's not particularly funny and starts to veer into the topic of dying. Something isn't right. She used to be good at this but can't move forward. Soon, she is back in her London apartment with her partner Oli (Luke Nunn), discussing that they need to get a lodger to make ends meet.  Oli is a doctor working night shifts at the local NHS hospital. Alice is not ready to face a return to stand up or anything. So when the first potential lodger arrives (Meg Lewis), looking

Sisters doing it to themselves: Everything Between Us @Finborough


If a playwright ever wants to get the undivided attention of the audience, opening with: "Fuck you, you fucking bitch, I'll tear your fucking eyeballs out ya cunt!" sure does the trick.

And so begins an explosive 70 minutes of Everything Between Us by David Ireland. It's having it's English premiere playing in repertoire with Late Company at the Finborough Theatre.

It's about the conflict in post conflict Northern Ireland and the conflict between two sisters. Both unionists and both divided. But its power lies in how it can be funny and provocative at taking aim at Northern Ireland conflict and the people caught in it.



It's day one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Northern Ireland at Stormount. Sandra (Lynsey-Anne Moffat) is taking her seat on the commission, when her long lost sister Teeni (Katrina McKeever) bursts into the chamber. She attacks the chairwoman, shouting racist abuse.

Her sister bundles her into a basement room away from security and this sets the scene for confrontations after an 11 year absence. The two pace the room sizing each other. It's like watching a boxing match, with each round notching up a level of tension.

We learn Teeni is a recovering alcoholic. And then we learn Sandra is an alcoholic too, who hasn't ever had a drink. Their father was murdered. But he also murdered. But as things escalate we get the sense that no matter what truths are revealed, there is no reconciliation.

McKeever is mesmerising as the angry and damaged  Teeni. She is hilarious. And offensive. Opposite her Moffat as the more successful sister shows equal bitterness and resolve.

Whether anyone can move forward with "everything between us" seems to be the central message. But it's a hell of a thought provoking ride anyway.

Directed by Neil Bull, Everything Between Us is at the Finborough Theatre on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays until 16 May.

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎


Updated to include the lovely photos by Tristram Kenton and Hannah Burton

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