Sandi Toksvig's Silver Lining, Rose Theatre Kingston review ★★★★★

Sandi Toksvig’s established background in political activism turns up in the subtlest of ways in her new venture, Silver Lining, at The Rose Theatre in Kingston.

Directed by Rebecca Gatward, who previously directed Maxine Peake’s Beryl at the Rose, what the play lacks in pace and pomp it makes up for in touching narratives and poignant social commentary. Gloria, Maureen, and sisters May and June are residents at a care home in Grays End, but they don’t let that dampen their zest for life or their inimitable sense of humour. After all, insights like theirs can only come with age – “And to think,” says Gloria, “if I hadn’t given up drinking and smoking I would have missed all this. “

Finding themselves trapped as Storm Vera rages outside and the banks of the nearby river burst, the women share tender moments from their lives and show a camaraderie and spirit we’d be guilty for assuming might not exist in old age. A cast of much-loved British names, including Maggie McCarthy as May and Keziah Joseph as Hope, the hapless steward who’s been sent to evacuate the ladies (she’s only there for the day, she needs the cash). Amanda Walker's character 'St Michael' offers a poignant insight into living with dementia.

Toksvig's ongoing social commentary isn’t amiss in Silver Lining, with well timed, pointed one-liners prompting regular belly-laughs from the audience; June’s assertion that the “homosexuals are causing the floods” harks back to one UKIP Councilor’s 2014 claim that the legalisation of gay marriage prompted that year's bad weather, and in response to the ladies’ fears of growing increasingly isolated in their ‘island’, Hope can’t help but quip, “Maybe for you guys – I voted remain.”

It’s heartening to watch an all-female cast of mature actresses and Silver Lining has some truly golden moments that make it worth the trip to Kingston-Upon-Thames.