Theatre review: Daughterhood, Roundabout @ Summerhall, Edinburgh

There are nine years of an age gap between sisters Pauline and Rachel, and the differences in every other way couldn’t be more pronounced either.

Daughterhood, Roundabout at Summerhall (Venue 26)

Daughterhood, Roundabout @ Summerhall, Edinburgh * * *

Pauline has remained at home and cared for their ailing father, his dementia having brought him almost to the end of his life, while Rachel has left home and moved to London, where she works in charity. When we first see them together in the hallway of their family home, the tension is palpable; or rather, Pauline’s quiet blend of envy and fury at the carefree way Rachel lives a life of regulated responsibility is plainly visible to all but her sister.

Theatr Clwyd and Paines Plough’s production of Charley Miles’ play initially suffers somewhat from this device, but as the pace calms towards its conclusion, a truthful and emotive portrait of siblinghood emerges.

Until 25 August

David Pollock

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