Care - Young Vic Theatre

Care is a translation of the French play 'Une Morte Dans La Famille' by Alexander Zeldin, now making its Young Vic debut under Zeldin's direction. It tells the story of Joan (Linda Bassett), who finds herself in a care home following a series of bad falls. Her daughter and difficult grandsons are all she has left in the world, but when she finds herself confined against her will, she makes the best of her situation amongst a cast of fascinating characters.

The writing of this play is quietly compelling. It is slow, running at just over two hours with no interval, and many scenes are deliberately sparse. Yet this pacing seems to perfectly mirror the reality of life in a care home, underfunded and understaffed, where the painful truth is that many elderly residents appear to pass away almost unnoticed. That said, this is not necessarily an easy watch. The runtime, combined with seating that, while affording excellent sightlines, offers neither armrests nor generous width, makes for an occasionally uncomfortable experience. The irony of this is not lost on the reviewer.

Photography: Johann Persson

The characters are vividly drawn, with each care home resident boasting a singular identity. Setting themselves apart from the group are Simone and John - two opposing characters who capture the hearts of the audience with great ease. Hayley Carmichael is a force of nature as the unruly Simone, shocking residents and audience alike with her explicit and hilarious anecdotes. Set against her is the quietly heart-breaking John (Richard Durden), a man who longs for one final embrace from his long departed wife. Together, they anchor a ensemble that feels achingly true to life. As for our leading lady, Linda Bassett delivers a performance of quiet devastation, capturing the desperate need to be heard and to remain present in a world that would sooner let you fade away. It is a searing portrait of what happens to those who are no longer seen as having anything left to offer.

The set design by Rosanna Vize is stunning. Centred largely around the nursing home's communal living room, it is bright, spacious and yet strikingly cold, a visual metaphor that speaks volumes before a single word is uttered. Vize largely resists the temptation to alter the space, allowing the stillness of the environment to reflect the stasis of its inhabitants. When the set does finally shift, transforming through moving pieces into Joan's bedroom, it carries genuine emotional weight. However, this transition, along with others throughout the production, is accompanied by prolonged blackouts that compound the already unhurried pace of the piece. Rather than building tension or providing moments of reflection, these interruptions make it difficult to maintain an emotional connection with the characters at precisely the moments when the drama demands it most.

Care is a production that clearly has a great deal to say, and much of what it says is important and sensitively handled. Bassett's performance is quietly devastating, and the ensemble around her brings warmth and humanity to a world so often rendered invisible. Yet the production occasionally undermines itself, letting its commitment to realism tip into an inertia that tests the audience's patience. For those willing to sit with its discomforts, both literal and emotional, there is something genuinely moving at its heart.

Production Value: 65%

Value for Money: 70%

Personal Enjoyment: 70%

Overall Score: 68% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Young Vic Theatre, London

Playing until the 11th July 2026

Run Time: 2h10 - no interval

Ticket prices can be found on the show's official website. Click the link here to book online.