Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical
Cathedral

Cathedral is a midnight mass - an ode to memory and the sense of loss which carefully evokes a frozen, car-crash, state of mind. Two actualities run in tandem. A voice-over, male then female, piles up pieces of narrative that form imperfect recollections of a relationship into an overlapping collection. Coffees, neglected gifts, and cold smiles provide some of the minutiae, some of the debris, in testimonials delivered with the flatness of a recalled dream.These extracts are excellently made and utterly convincing - Michael Patrick, Alys Henry and Kate Ryan doing fine work.

Pleasingly, no answers are given; only images as the sibyls play with light and falling sand, melancholy personified.

Meanwhile, on a bare stage, Vjera Orbanic and Lisa Savini are two wordless sibyls enacting or reacting in physical theatre, which is at sometimes rather stiff, at others eerily beautiful. Around them, gales of brilliantly developed soundscape swirl, colouring what little we see and what sense we can make from the disembodied, broadcast voices.

Despite its rather brutal staging, Cathedral is a tender work, and the fierceness conveyed by some of its more provocative moments is not misplaced. It chooses to use the mainstays of drama - light and sound - to minimalist and hence maximal effect. This is not a subtle show but the control exercised in sculpting tension is remarkable. Repeatedly, we are plunged into darkness and silence, and often the question ‘why? ’is for that short time as nagging as it might be in the seemingly interminable state of grief.

Pleasingly, no answers are given; only images as the sibyls play with light and falling sand, melancholy personified.

The great buildings after which the play - and the Raymond Carver short story, from which it is derived - are named are known to be the supreme staging of the drama of existence, controlling both light and sound to masterly effect. This piece deliberately grates those two tectonic plates together to throw heat, smoke and light into the freezing void of loss, blindness and death. By doing this it also manages, incredibly, to bring a kind of warmth to the most desolate of human conditions. Highly recommended.

Reviews by Charley Ville

The Warren: Main House

Movin' Melvin Brown presents 'Me and Otis'

★★★
Sweet Dukebox

Fannytasticals

★★★★
Sweet Waterfront 2

Something Rotten

★★★
The Warren: Studio 2

Cathedral

★★★★
The Warren: Main House

Big Bobby, Little Bobby

★★★★
The Warren: Theatre Box

A Glass of Nothing

★★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

There is a story, but we can’t remember the details. It has a figure, but its features escape us. You’re my old lover, but I can’t remember your voice. ‘Cathedral’ is held in semi-darkness and explores the disruption of memory through a collage of immersive sound, storytelling and physical theatre.
Buy cheap tickets for Wicked
Buy cheap tickets for Matilda the Musical

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong
The Play That Goes Wrong

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Abba Voyage
Abba Voyage

From £67.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Back To The Future
Back To The Future

From £24.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Stranger Things : The First Shadow
Stranger Things : The First Shadow

From £37.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Wicked
Wicked

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Spies
Buy cheap tickets for Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
Buy cheap tickets for Evita
Buy cheap tickets for The King of Pangea
Buy cheap tickets for Into The Woods
Buy cheap tickets for Born With Teeth
Buy cheap tickets for Matilda
Buy cheap tickets for Sabrage
Buy cheap tickets for Barmy Britain
Buy cheap tickets for Starlight Express