Men Should Weep **** TNT

It takes a while to penetrate the Glaswegian accents, but Josie Rourke’s fine revival of Ena Lamont Stewart’s 1947 domestic drama repays the effort as Maggie struggles to make ends meet with an out of work husband, six children still living at home, and a moaning mother-in-law shunted between households along with her much-needed pension book.

Written from personal observation, this depiction of tenement life during the 1930’s Depression reveals the camaraderie of neighbours, close-knit family ties stretched to breaking point and a younger generation desperate to escape from the drudgery of poverty. It’s the women who hold it together – Sharon Small’s Maggie going out skivvying and coming back to more of the same, her eldest daughter finding a questionable way out, and her severe spinster sister helping whenever she can.

Lyttelton at the National, South Bank, SE1 9PX (020 7452 3000) Tube: Waterloo nationaltheatre.org.uk
Until at least 9th January £10.00 - £44.00