UK Theatre Network

I should have never let you out of my sight.

This musical looks at the complexities of relationships between brothers and sisters and mothers and sons. Set against the background of a changing America between 1952 and 1990 this two-person tour-de-force follows John's and Jen’s changes from childhood to adulthood and beyond.

Six-year-old Jen Tracy welcomes her newborn brother John into the world, with a warning about the way things work and a promise to protect him from his abusive father. Jen does her best to shield John from life’s disappointments and their father but not long after John’s seventh birthday Jen discovers a bruise on his face. Jen vows that their father will never hurt John again and the two siblings make a deal to always be there for each other. This deal ends when Jen moves on to New York City to attend Columbia University and changes into a peace loving Hippie whilst John stays home and falls under the influence of his father - he joins the Navy to fight in Vietnam.

The storyline is fairly predictable and the sweetness factor is a bit too much in some scenes but this is a very touching and at times extremely funny story about an older sister – younger brother relationship. The two young actors are outstanding. I was particularly impressed by Tom Keeling who effortlessly changes from an infant to a teenager to a young adult but Kendra McMillan was equally convincing as the older sister and later, in the second act, as the mother who loves her son too much. Thanks to the talented performers and the beautiful music (cello played by Clare Graham, piano and musical direction by Sonum Batra) there is not a dull moment in this production.

The book for this show was written by Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald. Andrew Lippa, who also wrote the music, won the Outer Critics Circle Award for his Off-Broadway musical Wild Party and the 2000 Drama Desk Award for his contribution to the hit musical You Are A Good Man, Charlie Brown.

7.30pm 21 - 23 September
5.30pm & 8.30pm 24 September
3.00pm & 7.30pm 26 September

Tickets: £ 12 / £ 10 (concessions)

BOX OFFICE: 020 7704 6665
The Rosemary Branch, 2 Shepperton Road, London N1 3DT