“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…” read Joe, a young Irish lad in a turnip field not far away from his Irish home hamlet. Then came John, sent to fetch his younger brother and bring him home where everyone was waiting on him. But Joe is troubled because he’s waiting for Patrick, and the tale begins. 

The Turnip Field was written during the third lockdown by barrister and writer Catherine O’Reilly and stage actor Tim Churchill. The play represents another writing and directing collaboration by the duo after their musicals What's All The Fuss About? and One Show More. Having opened at the Stoke-On-Trent Repertory Theatre last month, this 90-minute poignant and engaging play is currently running until 5 June at London’s Turbine Theatre. 

Somebody said that it’s with the people you love the most that you don’t really know how to talk to. Well-written and respecting the classical unities rule, one location, one time and one action, The Turnip Field puts the dialogue in all its complexity and simplicity centre stage. There is nowhere to hide, no pause, and no exit in this two-hander play. Every expression and nuance is perceptible, so the audience bow down to the phenomenal actors Sean Jones (John) and Josh Capper (Joe). They don’t need to rely on special effects and numbers, they don’t even blink or get distracted, and the result is an incredible and intense performance, both complimentary in delivering Joe and John’s words. They take the audience through the highs and lows of life as well as the highs and lows of emotions!

With the writing alternately bringing comedy and pathos with heart-breaking moments, anecdotes and childhood reminiscences, the two actors can explore and properly incarnate their characters, which they absolutely did. Both excel verbally but also have a pleasant physical energy and agreeable singing parts, capturing and transmitting all of these emotions to the audience, masterly mimicking and impersonating characters of their Irish community: oh this gossiping old lady, this local drunk in the pub, the so-called strongest priest in the world, the scariest horror story.. all represented in truthful moments and existential questions, what love is about ? But also, are you more Errol Flynn/Clark Gable? Or Pacino/De Niro? Even Robert De Niro gets a little moment! And if you’re as afraid as Joe is about what happened when we die, John sharply answers “Everyone’s get pissed” and you can help but enjoy this heart-warming tale of two brothers who, even if they clearly have opposite opinions and personalities, made the most of their time together and this intimate dialogue will profoundly resonate with the audience long after the play. 

Because what makes this play unique and clever is its layers. The story is about two brothers sharing stories in Joe’s favorite place, a turnip field, but it’s also about the themes and connections approached and about the final message, which comes unexpectedly with a moving conclusion. 

The writer’s direction allows the actors to explore their character fully. Following the pace of the story with its anecdotes and reminiscences cleverly conducted, dramatic changes and effective pausing are used well, and the actors’ energy and play’s rhythm never diminishes. As the actors stay on stage the whole time, the set (basic but efficiently utilised) consists of a fence-enclosed turnip field that suits both the intimate dialogue but also the intimate Turbine Theatre. Both lighting and sound design, especially Jeremy Wooton’s original music, supports and accompanies the story.

Don’t wait for the weather to change to see this harmoniously well-acted play with clever writing and a talented cast at the unique Turbine Theatre.  

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Alexia Irene 

The Turnip Field plays at the Turbine Theatre until 5 June. To book tickets, please click here.