Theatre Review: Ache by Pip Hall

Directed by John Lawson | Vision by Terry Darby

New Plymouth Little Theatre’s production of Ache, written by Pip Hall, is a tender, layered exploration of grief, memory, and the search for connection. Under the direction of John Lawson and the artistic vision of the late Terry Darby, this thoughtful piece unfolds with moments of beauty, creative ambition, and quiet introspection.
Cat Jordan brings a gentle strength to the role of Woman, offering a sense of lived experience and emotional weight. While she may have appeared slightly older than the character’s intended dynamic, her presence grounded the production. Opposite her, Shawn Stanley delivered a sincere and believable performance as the Man. Together, they conveyed a shared history, though at times their connection might have benefited from a little more emotional vulnerability to fully bring the ache of their relationship to life.
Josh McKee took on the challenging role of Boy, shifting between a variety of characters with enthusiasm and energy. Each was marked by a different accent, and while the transitions were bold, there were moments where more physical contrast could have helped distinguish them more clearly. Alex Sheehan, as the Girl, similarly moved through multiple roles, and with a little more definition between characters, her performance would have been even more impactful. Both these actors showed promise and commitment, embracing the complexities of the script with spirit.
The set changes were a creative and intriguing choice, though they sometimes felt a touch off-centre with moments of silence. The intention was clear and imaginative, even if the execution didn’t always land. That said, the use of technology — especially the displayed text — was clever and effective, adding a poetic thread to the narrative. The minimalist set was well-suited to the emotional terrain of the play, though it may have been interesting to see this stripped back even more and the digital elements explored even further to deepen the storytelling.
At its heart, Ache is a beautifully written work — honest, raw, and full of emotional depth. This production offered glimpses of that magic, moments where the script’s poetry met performance in just the right way. With a slightly softer, more nuanced approach and some refinement in transitions and emotional pacing, this could have truly soared. Even so, it’s a courageous and heartfelt production that deserves to be seen, and a reminder of the depth of talent within our local theatre community and a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man who would have been incredibly proud. Well done NPLT.

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