Relics - Lyric Hammersmith

This show follows the story of four very different siblings as they come together to discuss how to split the assets left to them following their mother's death. It is a delicate subject, one that is hard to tackle on stage without depressing audiences completely in the face of that most inherent of human flaws: greed.

It starts off as an introduction to all the characters: Olivia (played by Sally Phillips) is considered the matriarch of the group, Jonny (JJ Feild) is the oldest and seemingly most successful brother, Michelle (Charly Clive) is the eccentric younger sibling, and Rob (Sam Swainsbury) is the easy-going brother who seems to just go with the flow. It's a great dynamic, but the first half hour could have been condensed to improve the pacing. Once the inevitable twist occurs, things pick up considerably. True colours are revealed, and so much more. That is where this piece excels. I see this a lot with plays of this kind: a slow Act 1 and a gripping Act 2. It is a shame, considering how good this play is when it does get going.

Photography: Marc Brenner

Phillips is brilliant throughout, grounding both the emotional turmoil of the piece and the characters around her. The pairing of Clive and Swainsbury is incredibly entertaining. They do not offer a great deal in the way of dramatic turns, but instead take on the role of comic relief with their witty remarks and easy nonchalance. Feild's character is slightly more complex. Without giving too much away, he represents the greed. However, his switch from devoted son to a more Machiavellian persona is not as dramatic as one might expect, almost as though the twist had been telegraphed from the very start. As a result, the audience loses a certain grip on the piece where this character is concerned.

The set design by Joanna Scotcher is great. Set entirely in the living room of the family home, with the hospital bed still in place, cardboard boxes scattered around and an overarching feeling of unease, we feel as though we are prying into the lives of these people at a very delicate time.

Overall, this is a good show that takes its time getting there. The writing is at its best when the gloves come off, and when it does land, it lands well. The casting is fantastic across the board, and with some tightening of the first act this could be a truly compelling piece of theatre. Worth seeing, with the expectation that patience will be rewarded.

Production Value: 65%

Value For Money: 65%

Personal Enjoyment: 60%

Overall Score: 63% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)

(AD | gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, London

Playing Until: 18th July 2026

Run Time: Approximately 2h20 - with an interval of 20 minutes

Tickets can be purchased from this link.