G R I E F C A S E – Tailwind Physical Theatre / The Hope Theatre, London

Tailwind Physical Theatre get into all the messy corners of the mind in the aftermath of losing a loved one in G R I E F C A S E at the Hope Theatre.

G R I E F C A S E

When a loved one dies, and particularly when it’s sudden, how do you even begin to unpack the emotions surrounding it? This is the question posed by G R I E F C A S E, written and performed (as part of a cast of four) by Ru Lawrence. It’s the Hope Theatre‘s first ever co-production, which bodes extremely well as a potential new stream of programming in this already top-notch theatre in North London.

Lawrence first performed G R I E F C A S E at the Hope Theatre as a solo performance. It follows G, whose mother, with whom they had a complicated relationship, has died. In just under an hour, and predominantly using physical theatre techniques, G R I E F C A S E explores grief in all its messiness and contradictions. G replays memories, imagines conversations, regrets the things they didn’t say (and sometimes the things they did say). They lament the things that will never happen now in their relationship with their mother. They imagine that she regrets them too. There are tears, flashes of anger, self-recrimination and self-neglect, and alcohol to dull the pain. And throughout, they are still outwardly trying to play the roles expected of them – as coworker, grieving child, friend.

It’s this split between outward composure and inward distress that is so beautifully expressed through physical theatre. Lawrence is also Movement Director (as well as Sound Designer and co-Set Designer – wow!), and their movement sequences let the audience into G’s inner world in a way that dialogue cannot. It’s very powerful, particularly in the Hope Theatre’s intimate space, which lends itself to a traverse stage set-up. The audience can see G’s conflicting emotions, just as they can see the awkwardness as their colleagues try to comfort them, the tension in their relationship with their mother, and so on.

Powerful and Honest

I would have been interested to see the earlier solo iteration of G R I E F C A S E. But I do think it works very well as a four-hander. Lawrence is joined by Collette Hoson, Poppy Janisch, and Jack St Leger. Each take on a role in addition to working as an ensemble, particularly in the physical theatre sequences. Hoson plays G’s mother, or the version of her in their mind as they come to terms with their love and anger, resentment and regret. Janisch plays close friend Stacey, who has to decide when to intervene as G’s grief tips over into self-neglect. And St Leger plays Garry, a colleague who is both a distraction and a focal point for anger. They’re all remarkably well-rounded for characters with relatively little time to develop on stage.

Much credit is due here to Lawrence’s writing, but also Jack Mckee’s direction. Their past bios have talked about creating character-driven stories that are deeply connected to real experiences. This is certainly the case here. Mckee has managed to give space to all the nuance in the piece, meaning I laughed out loud as often as I felt a tear coming to my eye. If the pace and the plot start to slacken slightly towards the end, this seems like a minor point to improve upon.

And so I urge you to get along to the Hope Theatre and see G R I E F C A S E for yourself. The examination of grief is soul-baringly honest, and all the more valuable for it. I came away hoping for the opportunity to see more co-productions from the Hope Theatre, more from Tailwind Physical Theatre, and more generally from all those involved. It made me think about my own internal dialogue, and the things I need to let go. An evening at the theatre well-spent.

Salterton Arts Review’s rating: 4/5

G R I E F C A S E on until 3 October 2026. More info and tickets here.