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It Comes in Waves,

 
Paul T. Davies Review by Paul T. Davies 4 Published: 28 Jun 2026 Headgate Theatre Show Dates: 27 Jun 2026-27 Jun 2026

Sometimes it’s the quiet ones that create the biggest impact. For their latest production, Eastern Angles are touring James McDermott’s new play, It Comes In Waves. Whilst the play still retains a distinctly East Anglian setting and characters, the subject is universal: coping with grief. Howard runs a grief café in Lowestoft, meeting regularly for tea, biscuits and exercises to encourage people to face and begin accepting their loss. Crystal wants to live and laugh following the death of her husband, though she really seeks company. Teenager Jordan has just lost her dad, and Howard keeps deflecting to avoid facing the loss of his son. This beautiful, tender play has a simple structure, but, like the waves, each ebb and flow reveals more about these characters.

A play that never has to raise its voice, its tender quietness grips you

The acting is exquisite. As Howard, Ben Nealon radiates positivity, sensitivity and vulnerability in equal measure. Some of the most powerful moments are when he takes mementoes of his son out of a box and holds them up in silence. Millions of words and emotions are projected. Erin Geraghty is superb as widow Crystal, always talking, desperate for friendship, her bravado cracking wide open when she overhears the other two talk unfavourably of her. And Meg Atherton is simply outstanding as Jordan, her grief raw, unable to be expressed, but the meetings help her until she becomes stronger, and there is a wonderful, circular conclusion to her recovery and the play.

The sensitive, subtle direction by Jake Smith allows the play to fully breathe and hold its subject in tender hands, and McDermott’s script (written after losing his father during the pandemic) sighs with lived experience. The sound and visual design by Jack Baxter facilitates the movement of time superbly. It’s a play that never has to shout, rarely needs to raise its voice, but quietly lets its subject affect you. Catch the remaining tour dates.

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The Blurb:

A grief café in Lowestoft - a town mourning the loss of its high street on a coastline crumbling like rich tea biscuits. After losing her husband, Crystal wants to love, laugh and live again. Teenager Jordan wants to get grieving over with. Group leader Howard wants to help everyone else - but can he finally face his own grief? Content note: the play contains themes of grief and bereavement.