Cuckoo, Royal Courtroom Theatre July 2023. L-R Michelle Butterly, Jodie McNee, Sue Jenkins & Emma Harrison. Photograph: Manuel Harlan

House is the place the center is for the Merseyside household on the centre of Michael Wynne’s play Cuckoo on the Royal Courtroom.

Daughters Carmel (Michelle Butterly) and Sarah (Jodie McNee) gravitate in the direction of their mom Doreen’s (Sue Jenkins) home, however when granddaughter Megyn (Emma Harrison) locks herself in an upstairs room and will not come out, the peace of their chip store dinners and scrolling on their telephones is disturbed.

Endurance is examined, issues develop, and uncomfortable truths are revealed.

The play’s title serves up its double that means. It is a reference to the borderline loopy scenario and maybe a nod to the derogatory time period for individuals with psychological well being issues.

Cuckoos additionally famously lay their eggs in different birds’ nests to be introduced up by the unsuspecting ‘foster’ guardian, and Megyn has taken up residence in her grandmother’s bed room, the place Doreen waits on her hand and foot. Megyn will solely talk by way of textual content.

Megyn’s mom, Carmel, is withering in her remarks, which does not at all times assist the Megyn scenario however does ship a pointy humour to distinction the extra playfully humorous strains given to Doreen and Sarah.

However beneath the humour, the actual world and the issues, struggles and strife that include it press in.

And it is a mixture of points that immediately have an effect on the household, corresponding to zero contract hours, absent fathers and abusive husbands, and what’s occurring locally round them. 

No marvel they spend a lot time on their telephones.

It is a humorous play with darkish edges. The characters have fickle consideration spans, which implies they are often involved about information of a tragedy unfolding lots of of miles away one minute after which laughing at a humorous meme the following. 

And like most households, they’re pleased with one another and get alongside till they do not.

The second half does not carry fairly the identical regular bubble of laughter as the primary, and there’s a story thread which seems like it’s left hanging. Perhaps we want a Cuckoo Half 2?

However total, it is an gratifying watch, and I am giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Cuckoo, Royal Courtroom

Written by Michael Wynne

Directed by Vicky Featherstone

Operating time: 2 hours with an interval

Reserving till 19 August; for extra particulars and to purchase tickets, go to the Royal Courtroom Theatre web site

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