Review: MAY QUEEN, Belgrade Theatre Coventry

Photo credit: Nicola Young

Written by Frankie Meredith and directed by Balisha Karra, May Queen explores the story of Leigh. 

It’s May Day in Coventry and 16-year-old Leigh has been chosen as the May Queen. The cider is flowing, the sun is shining and the St. George’s flags are flying high. A year later, as the City has moved on, Leigh is still dealing with the events of that May Day and who or what led her to her actions that day.

It’s a hard hitting, blunt and to the point script dealing with some very sensitive themes, but it’s told in a way that absorbs the audience immediately and whilst shocking in its context, we felt nothing but empathy and understanding with Leigh throughout.

This is helped, not only by Yasmin Dawes portrayal of Leigh, with her impeccable storytelling, embodiment of character and body movements emulating her pain and frustration, but also with the lighting design by Chris McDonnell, and sound design by Kieran Lucas, depicting the mood, whether elated or incensed, and increasing the depth of the storytelling.

The topics of the story are increasingly relevant and something every female, in particular, will be able to relate to in some form. It’s so important that theatre is able to bring it into people’s consciousness and this production does so in the most entertaining and faultless way.

Appropriately uncomfortable, but entertainingly relevant! A must see for everyone.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

May Queen plays at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry until 1 July, with tickets available here.