The Years

Male aged 61 review. This play The Years was an amazing and unflinching historical yet deeply personal insight into women’s experience in the patriarchy. It was very truthful and at times hard to watch… I haven’t read the book but the play reminded me of the book The Women’s Room. I cried reading that but I was in tears for about half of this performance. It was funny and touching as well as unflinching and visceral. An extraordinary but at times challenging experience. I would not have wanted to miss it. My wife found it even tougher to watch. Not for the faint hearted but deeply rewarding in a way that I have seldom got close to before.

For a woman born in the 50s, this resurrected many issues, events and attitudes that were faced by women during these years. The performance was interrupted by an emergency for 10mins or so. The actors showed such professionalism by picking u the story seamlessly so that the audiences experience was not affected.

This is a thought provoking play but over indexes on sex and masturbation as if that’s the only dimension of a woman passing the years. I appreciate the abortion components but thought the play overlooked important other aspects (beyond sex, masturbation, amorous relationships) of a women across the lifespan. What about our intellect? Our relationships with female friends? With our aging parents? I also thought that it was odd that the show was interrupted twice for a guest having a health issue. Was this staged?

I was immersed in the show from start to finish. It was moving, insightful, superbly acted , brilliantly directed and imaginatively and touchingly staged. It was well paced and balanced with moments of fluctuating joy, sadness, drudgery, excitement, loneliness and togetherness, vulnerability and strength.

Not a dry eye in the house but much laughter too.

A beautifully performed and imaginatively staged Production with a multi talented group of Actors. An at times raw and graphic account of women’s life experience through the years with each decade evocatively depicted. Whilst the snapshots of life portrayed are especially female centric and relatable it is perhaps not a watch for the faint hearted, sheltered from life or overly sensitive. Do however see it if you can . It’s imaginative re creation of past life experience is still so relevant in today’s world and it is a privilege to watch such a talented performance from the amazing cast.

I bought a ticket at the last minute, not knowing much other than it was a good show, and it blew my socks off. Not to mention the night I went one of the actresses was in the middle of an extremely emotionally charged scene when the house lights were brought up to help somebody having some kind of medical emergency. When the show resumed the actress picked up like she wasn’t interrupted at all! In a way the presentation of the play reminded me of the show Six, but without the pop concert feel (although there was some singing and a dance number). With 5 actresses, the show tells the story of different phases of a woman’s life from 1940 something to present day. The style and the way technology was used is completely original as far as I know.

Wow what a play, very high standard. Never read the book, but don’t need to now. We Loved the way it was portrayed with fantastic actors. Made us tearful and then laughed. Definitely one for woman of all ages, We could so relate to all the different ages and stages of life. I also loved the theatre and will come again.

This is not a a play for those that avoid the mess in life, but for all the rest it is a review of what has influenced something of female lives over time

This show is unique and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I went with my best friend and we are both 66, making us at the younger end of the references in the play. A must see for women my age and older- brutal, truthful- funny and moving- the whole gamut of emotions in 90 minutes. I don’t need to see it again, but I am so glad I had the experience. Amazing acting- AMAZING. Bravo ladies!

Possibly most appeal to the over 50s

Pertinent for women born in 50’s 60’s So acurate and great depiction of the struggles , the reality and the emotions of that time . I was very moved and I ended shedding a few tears …..

The acting was great. The story was very good. It covered quite a long period of time. Some of the scenes were very graphic, wouldn't recommend it for anyone under 15/16

Fantastic review of the feminine post-war experience. Moving and powerful rendition of Annie Ernaux’s work.

Totally loved this play, all the cast were superb but Harmony Rose Bremner stood out ( albeit amongst giants ), her singing was beautiful and her acting so joyful. We had bargain seats (£35) on the front row and missed some scenes that took place low on the floor (below our eye level), but in the main the seats were great and fantastic value. Amazing to be so close to the cast.

Acted beautifully,a lot of triggers and situations which some of the audience may not be aware of . Definitely not for the faint hearted but they did the book proud . Very empowering