by an anonymous guest critic

Witty, laugh-out-loud, Irish brilliance: Erica Murray’s London debut of The Cat’s Mother demonstrates how a female-centric production can truly be a hit.

The play opens with younger sister Sinead (Philippa Carson), visiting her proudly London based sister Ciara (Doireann White) from Ireland, bringing their elderly senile mother and irritable cat Muggins in tow. We soon realise that Sinead has been the sole carer of their mother, whose condition is becoming unbearable. Though the play is littered with comedic text that you cannot help but laugh at, the story quickly turns to the controversial topic of euthanasia.

We watch as the two siblings battle with each other and their consciences over the fate of their mother. It challenges how far you would go for the love of your family and embarks on a whirlwind of emotions that we all could relate to in this terrible situation.

Jackie Fisher’s direction sees each actor take on a perfect balance of comedy and truth, with the consistent highlight of Kate Kennedy’s brilliant array of characters solidifying the production.

The Cat’s Mother runs through 8 February.

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