London. Hammersmith. The Sisters of Calvary Nursing Home. There’s Lily Thompson, a feisty Irish widow hiding her secret with hard-earned optimism; a grumpy new arrival, Jack, a celebrated actor who has suffered a crippling accident; and Dave, their effervescent aide, with his passion for Arsenal and his ‘Maltese Falcon’, Enzo.
Jim Nolan deftly weaves the strands of their stories in an enchanting new play that culminates in the minor ‘miracle of Brighton’. Subservient characters — Jack’s faithful, younger girlfriend; Dave’s mercurial, temperamental boyfriend; and Lily’s irrepressible gentleman friend — are drawn in such fine detail we are surprised that only three heroes actually appear on stage in Jim Nolan’s touching, winsome offering.
Despite its grave and mortal undercurrents Brighton shuns all traces of sentimentality. It is a triumph of life-affirming and delightful drama.
Published: 1 May 2010
