Director: Anna Mackmin.
Starring: Tamsin Outhwaite, Jenna Russell, Samantha Spiro.
Synopsis: Aged eighteen, three women join forces at university. Life is fun. Life is intense. Together they feel unbeatable. As Di and Viv and Rose grow up, chance and choice put their closeness to the test. They must thrash out how to work, how to love, how to live.
Amelia Bullmore’s cleverly written story truly captured the hearts of the audience. Di and Viv and Rose is based on the lives of three young women who meet at university in the 1980s, away from home for the first time, ready to channel their independent lives and on the path of self-discovery.
The first half is predominantly set in the safe setting of the lounge of their student house where the story focuses on their time spent at university and how life changing events bonds the eternal unconditional gift of friendship, which remains as their lives go their separate ways.
Jenna Russell provides an outstanding performance in the character Rose. In the first half her energy and carefree spirit exudes, while in the second is revolves around the reality of life beyond student days, with the too few meet ups and infrequent phone calls, highlighting how people can change and friendships can move on.
Tamzin Outhwaite as Di impassioned speech at the funeral drew a few tears in the audience and the tension between Outhwaite and Samantha Spiro (who plays Viv), at the wake is palpable.
Under the direction of the award-winning Anna Mackmin, a thought provoking story line, which at times could feel slightly too real, is cleverly executed by a magnificent trio.
[usr=4] Di and Viv and Rose is now playing at the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End
