I am truly, so grateful to have been granted the privilege of seeing London Tide, a play that was adapted by Charles Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend. This play was all around so impressive and truly beautiful.
The themes in this show are incredible. The themes that resonated with me the most were grief, guilt of leaving your family behind, running from other people’s plans for you, and having freedom as a woman to find yourself in a man’s world whilst being loved by one.
A beautiful moment that brought me to tears was when Bella gave Lizzie her black mourning dress. I loved the metaphor of feminine support along with the passing of the torch of grief. As someone who has become quite acquainted with grief in these past few months, this moment touched me and was heavy on my heart.
I can’t even imagine how painfully difficult and frustrating the tech process must have been. The amount of lighting cues alone was through the roof. The lighting was by far the most impressive I’ve ever come across. They used the hung lights to make the waves and they moved with the ‘tide’. I also absolutely adored all of the music. This play is not a musical but it had many beautifully written and composed songs that were so tasteful. I never felt like they pulled away from any characterization. I am so sad that I can’t find a cast recording anywhere.
The love stories were amazing. The two love interests of the leading ladies were the ideal partner for a woman finding themself. I loved that in the end, they didn’t force Lizzie and Eugene to immediately jump into a relationship. Instead, he encouraged her ambitions of experiencing the world and deciding her own fate before continuing with him.
All in all, this show will follow me for the rest of my life and this cast has gained a lifetime fan.
Theatre in London U of A 