All The Way Home – The Library Theatre Company at The Lowry, Salford
Writer: Ayub Khan-Din
Director: Mark Babych
Reviewer: Poppy Helm
The Public Reviews Rating: 
The combination of popular Salford playwright, Ayub Khan-Din (East is East, 1999) and the highly respected Library Theatre Company suggests a five star review might be something of a foregone conclusion. Reputation and expectation aside, All The Way Home is a poignant tale delivered by hardworking actors and an intelligent script.
Inspired by his own experience of losing a sibling, Khan-Din presents us with a family living in the shadow of cancer as they await the death of Frankie; brother, nephew and cousin. Bound by their duty to one another and confined within the walls of Frankie’s resting place, they are caught between love and resentment, tenderness and cruelty as each struggles to make some kind of sense from their inevitable loss.
The set is a perfect snapshot of a busy family kitchen; freshly ironed shirts hang on the door-frame, washing up liquid sits by the sink and the biscuit box is stuffed full of treats. The passage of time is signalled by darting clouds projected on the back wall and real falling water, which adds a disquieting aural element.
Almost every scene takes place within the small space of the kitchen but the intensity between the characters turns even something as ordinary as sharing a pot of tea into a fascinating event. The deepening insight into former-drug addict, Sonya (Julie Riley), is particularly gripping as she bounces between crude and cocky outbursts to moments of pure vulnerability. Skillfully, and almost without realising it, we are shown the duplicity of human nature; peacemaker Janet (Susan Cookson) still manages to erupt in a violent confession of loneliness, while slow-witted Phillip (Paul Simpson) demonstrates considerable wisdom when it comes to his estranged children.Although these are characters we recognise, they are far from stereotypes – each one is unique and fully developed – perhaps with the exception of Samantha (Naomi Radcliffe), who is more her mother’s echo than anything else.
This play is essentially a lesson in life; for all our disagreements and squabbles, it is our loved ones that hold us together and never more so than when facing tragedy. With another two weeks left in its run, there really is no excuse not to catch this subtle yet hard-to-forget play.
Runs at The Lowry until 15th October
Tags: All the Way Home, Ayub Khan Din, Drama, East is East, Julie Riley, Library Theatre Company, Lowry, Mark Babych, Naomi Radcliffe, Paul Simpson, Salford, Susan Cookson, Urban Regeneration
10:49 am on October 5th, 2011
A very powerful and moving experience, beautifully played by some excellent actors.
9:04 pm on October 5th, 2011
Want to watch it again. Funny, Poignant, rude, realistic, so sad but so funny
1:06 am on October 8th, 2011
A cleverly written play superbly executed by a strong cast and enhanced by a thoughtfully designed set and innovative lighting. Paul Simpson’s touching portrayal of Philip was simply brilliant and THE stand out performance. The layers of each of the well developed characters are subtly teased out by the differing relationships with their siblings (Brian’s heart to heart with Sonya is particularly moving). The honesty and fundamental goodness of the more reprobate characters of Sonya and Philip is contrasted beautifully with the more shallow and selfish natures of the outwardly successful and respectable Brian and Carol. Ayub Khan-Din has to be one of the finest yet (despite the success of East is East et al) most under recognised British playwrights.
10:38 am on October 10th, 2011
Lively writing delivered with panache by a very strong and experienced local cast, with Julie Riley, as the mouthy, in-your-face Sonia, and Judith Barker, as the forthright Auntie Sheila, particularly memorable. Paul Simpson’s portrayal of the none-too-bright Philip is also superbly handled. Funny and poignant, well worth seeing.
3:32 pm on October 12th, 2011
Fantastic play with many memorable lines The finest cast who always entertained One disappointment was the seating as had booked C row which turned out to be the front row with limited view When producing the tickets to usher she told us we were at the front and the added ‘Enjoy’ – We did!