The Church of England isn’t usually associated with fits of passion (even if it was invented to indulge Henry VIII’s libido). But in Stephen Beresford’s play, a quiet coastal parish is rocked by waves of fury after a vicar dares to stand up for what he believes in.
Alex Jennings delivers an eloquent performance as David Highland, a cynical reverend who sprouts a conscience overnight. Unfortunately for the plausibility of this drama, his big stand isn’t something genuinely controversial – there’s no Jesus-like welcoming of social outcasts here. Instead, he just wants to stop grieving mother Tina Southbury (Sarah Twomey) from having helium balloons at her child’s funeral.
