ALEXA Romanes’ play Dark River is a sombre tale of Victorian London underclasses, in particular the children who scratched livings, honest and otherwise, as mudlarks, costers, street sweepers and thieves. Finely observed, compellingly written, the work exerts a strong grip, effortlessly pulling you into its murky world.

Finely-paced and compellingly played by its young cast, the production effortlessly held the audience in its thrall.

Characterisation was excellent, bringing vividly to life these inhabitants of a forgotten London. Among a number of noteworthy performances, Allys Brown (Annie) and Cara Toseland (Sal) made sympathetic leads, with Annie’s death scene being genuinely moving. Izzy Stemp was heart-rending as Mouse, while Simon Bland as the criminal King and Tom Jones as the over-the-top thespian Sir Harry also impressed.

This was definite proof that serious and thoughtprovoking can still be entertaining.

Karen Robson