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# REVIEW: Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons @ Theatre Royal Brighton
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-lemonslemonslemonslemons-lemons-theatre-royal-brighton/
- Published: 2023-03-29T12:11:53.000Z
- Updated: 2023-03-29T16:23:38.000Z
- Description: Brian Butler is totally engrossed in a play on words
- Author: Brian Butler
- Tags: Theatre, Theatre Royal Brighton

Like all dystopian dramas, **Sam Steiner**’s new play starts from a situation near our own before spiralling, perfectly logically, to a state of anarchy and despotism.

Instead of its repetitive fruity title, it could have been called ”words, words, words”. Oliver, a composer meets Bernadette a lawyer at a pet cemetery, and that unusual play opening sets the scene for a show that is never quite what it says it is.

Without over-intellectualising what is anyway a cerebral piece, this is a sharp, dark but funny look at how lost freedoms eventually get coped with. The Government has announced that a new law, the outrageous Quietude Bill, will soon, if passed by Parliament, limit everyone’s daily speech to 140 words, and the law will also apply to writing.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aidan-turner-and-jenna-coleman-in-lemons-lemons-lemons-lemons-lemons--photo-johan-persson600.jpg)

Credit: Johan Persson

With strong echoes of the Brexit vote, the policy divides the two characters – Oliver organises a “noise” demo to protest; Bernadette, the pragmatist, puts her faith in the bad law not being passed. But it is.

And so the remainder of this 85-minute absolute gem goes back and forth in time, sometimes with split-second scene and lighting changes, to chart not only their relationship, but also by revisiting situations, allows us to see what often lies behind the words they speak.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/jenna-coleman-in-lemons-lemons-lemons-lemons-lemons--photo-johan-persson600.jpg)

Credit: Johan Persson

Along the way Steiner gives us their own way of dealing with the law- a sort of abbreviated, speech that miraculously conveys much more meaning than it seems to – but my word you have to be super alert to catch all the nuances.

Steiner doesn’t give us a happy ending – actually he doesn’t really give us an ending at all, but we leave the packed theatre thinking we better understand the human condition, and maybe alert to right-wing threats to our freedoms.

Director **Josie Rourke** keeps the pace hectic and the physical interactions between the two characters absolutely enthralling. TV/theatre royalty **Aidan Turner** (*Poldark*), and **Jenna Coleman** (*Dr Who* and *The Serpent*), grip their roles with energy, a sense of dark fun and absolute credibility.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aidan-turner-in-lemons-lemons-lemons-lemons-lemons--photo-johan-persson-600.jpg)

Credit: Johan Persson

The meaning of **Robert Jones**’ set – a towering, curved sets of pigeon holes full of household items – was a bit lost on me and it merely acts as a backdrop, but maybe it represents thoughts and words, who can tell? In the end it’s flown away to leave a bare, bleak stage.

*Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons* is at **Brighton Theatre Royal** until **Saturday, April 1**; then on a short tour.**[ BOOK HERE](https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/lemons-lemons-lemons-lemons-lemons/theatre-royal-brighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**

This article is 426 words, so would have been against the law.