Running With Lions by Sian Carter - ★★★☆☆

Ruby Barker as ‘Imani, Suzette Llewellyn as Shirley, Wil Johnson as Maxwell

Running with Lions is a moving inter-generational drama, following a British Jamaican family, as they navigate grief and mental illness against the background of faith, and often harmful cultural norms.

The show opens with brother and sister, Joshua (Nickcolia King N’da) and Gloria (Velile Tshabalala) as we watch them tease and bond with one another as Gloria prepares to move out of their family home. This utopia is quickly shattered, as we move to the present - Gloria is retuning from a psychiatric hospital, and Joshua is no where to be seen.

As the play unfolds, we are introduced to Gloria and Joshua’s parents (Shirley & Maxwell) and Gloria’s daughter, Imani (Ruby Barker).

For us, the show had two major highlights. Firstly, the relationship between Shirley and Maxwell (Suzette Llewellyn, Will Johnson).

Perfectly cast, they provide a gorgeous and authentic depiction of mature love with many poignant moments of joy, and wistful reminiscence. Alongside the highs, we also see the strains in their relationship as they come to the realisation that they do not talk about the things that really matter.

Being in the audience for Running with Lions was also a pleasure. When the audience demographic changes, so does the experience. Watching theatre is shared activity, and the experience should reflect that - from collective gasps at the close of the first half, to harmonious laughter we really enjoyed watching the play unfold.

You can catch Running with Lions at Lyric Hammersmith until 12 March.