The Good Person of Szechwan, written by Bertolt Brecht and albeit updated and translated by Nina Segal, is slightly bizarre but painfully relevant, especially in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. The play explores what it means to be good and at what cost you should be generous towards others. It follows Shen Te as three gods attempt to find a good person in the town. We see how coming into a large sum of money affects Shen Te as a person and her actions towards others.

Directed by Anthony Lau and assisted by Lexine Lee, the production is bonkers, a little over the top and inherently theatrical. Despite the theatricality and stylisation of the show, it still packs the emotional punches it needs to. Georgia Lowe designs some colourful costumes, with the frog and the rat being particular highlights. Lowe’s set is simple and effective – the playful (it’s almost like a soft play centre, with ball pits included) nature of it juxtaposes well to the seriousness of the events of the play and its messages. The cast assembled by Jacob Sparrow CDG deliver the material very well.

Callum Coates, Tim Samuels and Nick Blakeley are a strong triple act as the gods. Blakeley has great comic timing as the optimistic one of the trio, Coates is wonderfully regal and intimidating, and Samuels gets the plenty of laughs as the stuck up and privileged one of the trio.

Aidan Cheng plays Yang Sun, the man Shen Te is due to marry, and a young Boy who Shen Te shows compassion to. He performs both roles excellently, with their characterisations being so different you barely realise they’re played by the same actor. He is overly confident and slightly dislikeable, whilst still somewhat endearing as Yang Sun, whilst he’s timid and quiet as Boy.

Melody Brown gives a strong performance as landlord Mrs Mi Tzu, whilst giving an emotional and impactful performance as Old Woman. Jon Chew is just uncomfortable enough as Shu Fu in an intimate scene he has with Shen Te. Suni La gives a fantastic performance as Mrs Shin – she has great comic timing, she is beautifully maternal and has a great rapport with Ami Tredrea as Shen Te.

The stars of the show are Ami Tredrea as Shen Te and Leo Wan as Wang. Tredrea leads the cast exceptionally, portraying the large character arc she has very well. She has a lovely singing voice and a great stage presence. Wan is just outstanding as Wang. He is funny, he has a strong singing voice and holds the audience in the palm of his hand from the first second. He portrays the unrequited love subplot stunningly and heartbreakingly, even if it’s not part of the plot that’s ever addressed verbally.

This is a very timely revival of The Good Person of Szechwan and is entertaining, challenging, thought-provoking and moving. It has a clear and consistent directional concept from the creative team and a superb cast to tell this important story.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jacob Bush

The Good Person of Szechuan plays at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield until 1 April, before visiting Lyric Hammersmith from 15 April – 13 May.