[Ad-gifted] Alan Ayckbourn’s Earth Angel has arrived at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme following its world premiere at the Stephen Joseph Theatre earlier this year. Staged in the New Vic’s intimate theatre-in-the-round, the setting seems perfect to explore Ayckbourn’s 91st play which touches on kindness, trust and human decency in an age of suspicion.
The play is set in the aftermath of a funeral, where Gerald, a recently widowed retired teacher is trying to find his footing after the loss of his beloved wife. What begins as a slow, gentle study of grief as Gerald struggles to phantom life without his wife, steadily turns into something more layered reflecting on loss and exploring how his neighbours, friends and family judge people through the lens of the internet and social media.
Can someone be a good Samaritan without an ulterior motive? Read on to find out.
What I thought of Earth Angel
Ayckbourn directs his own play here, which means the pacing, tone shifts and balancing of the comic with the serious are all very much his vision. Act 1 is set in Gerald’s semi-detached house which is on an estate, on the outskirts of a northern town while Act II is set in Gerald’s kitchen and the front living room of Norah, his neighbour who lives opposite him.
The play which is set in November, over a period of two days is centred around Gerald (Russell Richardson), a recently widowed retired teacher who is still reeling from the loss of his wife, Amy. The play opens at Amy’s funeral wake, where Gerald is helped by well-meaning neighbour, Norah (Elizabeth Boag) and Daniel (Iskandar Eaton) a stranger who appears and offers kindness, practical help, companionship even though he does not know Amy or Gerald. This raises an alarm and Norah, another neighbour Hugo (Hayden Wood), Gerald’s sister Maxine (Liza Goddard) and her husband Adrian (Stuart Fox), a retired police officer decide to gather to figure out what is Daniels’s motive for being there.
Russell plays a believable grieving Gerald while Iskandar showcased a vulnerable but kind hearted Daniel who hides a secret. Elizabeth plays the well-meaning but nosey neighbour Norah to a tee, while Hayden as Hugo brings the comedy element to the play. Stuart Fox and Liza Goddard as Adrian and Maxine pull in their strength to bring in the familiar family tension, suspicion and occasional comic relief.
Kevin Jenkins‘s Set Design worked wonderfully at the New Vic as it created two separate areas in each Act. The first Act is set at Gerald’s living room and kitchen while the second Act in Norah’s living room and Gerald’s kitchen.
As all of Ayckbourn‘s plays which will leave you provoked and raising questions that linger on as you leave the theatre, Earth Angel is no different. This is a gentle play but only picks up pace in the second Act but audience will leave the theatre moved, unsettled and with lots of questions in their mind.
It is a play that will linger and make you wonder what makes someone “good” and if we can take people at face value in this day and age where people are constantly judged and scrutinised especially with the use of social media. Audiences will also be leaving the theatre to Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) by The Penguins playing in their head.
If you are intrigued, then do book your tickets to the show which will be running at New Vic until Saturday, 25 October 2025.
Cast
Elizabeth Boag Norah Tussock
Iskandar Eaton Daniel
Stuart Fox Adrian Prosper
Liza Goddard Maxine Mallet
Russel Richardson Gerald Mallet
Hayden Wood Hugo Skates
Creative
Writer and Director Alan Ayckbourn
Set and Costume Design Kevin Jenkins
Lighting Design Jason Taylor
Associate Sound Designer Ernest Acquah
Wardrobe Supervisor Julia Perry-Mook
Scenic Artist Julia Wray
Casting Director Sarah Hughes CDG
Stage Management
Deputy Stage Manager Sue Volans
Assistant Stage Manager Anna Reid
How much are the tickets for Earth Angel?
Tickets are on sale now, priced from £15 to £42.
Concessions: £2.00 off
Group Discounts: £2.00 off for ten or more
Under 16s Go Free
Under 26s Go Free
How do I book tickets to watch Earth Angel?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
Earth Angel will run until Saturday, 25 October 2025 with evening shows at 7.30pm and Matinee at 2.15pm (on 18/10, 23/10 and 25/10).
Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG
The theatre has a large car park, with a £2.50 charge on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.
The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.
Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.
About The New Vic Theatre
Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.
About Stephen Joseph Theatre
The Stephen Joseph Theatre is an independent theatre and cinema based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
Our home is a beautifully-restored 1930s Odeon cinema, home to our famous theatre-in-the-round which was the first of its kind in the world.
The Round provides a truly unique experience as the audience is seated all around the stage. Not only does the audience see the performance from every angle, it also brings the actor into the same space as the audience.
You may also want to read this:
Review: John Godber’s New Comedy Black Tie Ball at the New Vic
Review: The Grand Babylon Hotel at the New Vic, Newcastle-Under-Lyme
Review: Big Big Sky by Tom Wells at New Vic Theatre
Review: Charles Dickens’ The Haunting by Hugh Janes at New Vic Theatre
Photo Credit: New Vic Theatre/Tony Bartholomew
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
16 comments
I miss going to theaters a lot, I used to watch a couple of plays a month. I would love to see Earth Angel as soon as possible, seems awesome.
Hope you get the chance to go back to watching theatre shows again soon Karen
I absolutely love stories like this that promote deep thought about the human condition. It sounds really good!
It sure was, and one which I thoroughly enjoyed
This sounds like a good one. Humans are so multi-dimensional, so I really appreciate a story that showcases that.
Agree, and it wonderful to see the writings of Ayckbourn come to life
I’ve not been to the theatre for ages. This sounds like such a great show.
One not to be missed
This sounds like a play that could have answers for me, this year I have never felt so vulnerable in my life and have had cause for concern by someone.
Sorry to hear that Samantha, but the play does leave you pondering about life and how we perceive it
Reading your blog post makes me feel I am there watching it. But, I hope I can watch shows like this soon.
I hope so as well Marie, such a great play!
Earth Angel sounds like a lovely play to watch with my family. Thanks for the recommendation.
You are so welcome, a great way to spend date night
This sounds like such a deep preformance, with a lot of intricate moments. The set design sounds really interesting as well!
It certainly was and a good show to go and watch