Hampstead Downstairs is the setting for Bellringers, a new play from Daisy Hall, first seen at the Edinburgh Fringe. This production has the benefit of an effective set and traverse seating, which works well for the confined action, set as it is within a bell tower. The ivy, moss and ferns of the script are conveyed through words alone, but the mystical mushrooms are indicated by glowing spots on the ground.

The play arises from the premise that the pealing of church bells might ward off storms, a belief long held across different cultures at different times, with useful background on this included in the (free) programme. Jessica Lazar’s production builds tension effectively through periods of stillness interspersed with the ever-closer thunder and lightning.

The expected ending does indeed bring the play to a conclusion. In order to get there, we need to learn more about the two bellringers who are waiting for their attempt to halt the storm. In what is something of a Cotswold Waiting for Godot, not a lot happens as they talk, reminisce and speculate about what is happening around them. We do learn more about them, their long friendship and the importance they have for each other, all subtly but powerfully conveyed by the cast. A particular strength of the production is the subtle way in which we learn of the depth of the love between them.

As Aspinall, Paul Adeyefa gives an understated, truthful and convincing performance. Alternately afraid and determined, the conflict he feels is powerfully conveyed. In the role of the more extrovert Clement, Luke Rollason gives a performance rich in physicality and emotion. Working well together, the actors do well to hold the audience for the playing time of 1 hr 20 mins with no interval.

Although later reading of the script showed the author’s intention was that the play is set between the 12th and 18th centuries, this was not perhaps clear to the audience. Indeed, current concerns about the climate, not to mention the weather predicted for press night, led many to assume we were watching a play set in the near future, perhaps in a post-apocalyptic setting, or following a period of warfare.

The bellringing that ended the play, though not unexpected, seems a little unsatisfactory as a conclusion and it is difficult to be sure what the key intention of the piece is, other than to offer an opportunity for a convincing dialogue. Writing dialogue, though, is clearly a skill possessed by Daisy Hall, with the speech patterns here entirely convincing and the characters nicely differentiated.

Bellringers is an intriguing and thoughtful play by an author who has promise, and features an impressive cast.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Chris Abbott

Bellringers plays at Hampstead Theatre until 2 November, with further info here.