Review: Never Let Me Go (Rose Theatre Kingston)

Review by Rosie Holmes

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Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go has recently been named as one of the top 100 books of the 21st century. It explores what it means to be human, love, and the absence of hope in a story that is unsettling and chilling. Having previously been adapted to film, it has now made its way to the stage, with this new play receiving its premiere at Kingston’s Rose Theatre.

Never Let Me Go tells the story of Kathy H, a young woman who reflects on her childhood at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic boarding school. As she and her friends, Ruth and Tommy, grow up, they gradually uncover the unsettling truth about their purpose: they are clones created for organ donation. Taking place in an alternative reality of England in the 1980s and 1990s, the dystopian tale explores what it means to live a predetermined life that has been created solely to serve others.

The first half of the play moves swiftly, effectively introducing us to Kathy and her friends, drawing us into their world. Playwright Suzanne Heathcote cleverly adds a new character, Phillip, an organ donor cared for by Kathy. Its an effective narrative choice, as it allows the plot to switch between timelines, accessing Kathy’s past through her telling of memories to Philip. Yet, while this is effective and the pace keeps the story engaging, it sometimes sacrifices the intimacy and visceral emotional reactions that the novel evokes so powerfully. Some critical moments feel rushed, diminishing their impact and leaving the audience yearning for a deeper examination of the characters' internal struggles and a chance to process the big questions surrounding humanity that the story seeks to explore. The play presents such a defined interpretation which doesn’t leave enough room to fully ponder the big questions presented throughout.

The cast work well together and have truly great chemistry, which makes some scenes all the more heart-breaking. Nell Barlow shines as Kathy, adeptly navigating the fast-paced dialogue and the abrupt changes in emotion we see her character experience. Particularly impressive was her ever so subtle changes in voice pitch and mannerisms, which she changed to show her aging. Matilda Bales delivers a standout performance as Ruth, embodying vulnerability masked by bravado. Ruth is a character many can relate to, her complexities and fears resonate deeply, making her both frustrating and sympathetic.

Set design by Tom Piper is effective, using multiple doors cast member come spilling out of them often causing surprise and quickly transforming the settings. Piper captures the clinical feeling of the hospitals or centres in which donors are cared for. Lighting by Joshua Carr is also effective in altering a very simple set, clearly denoting a change in place quickly.

Never Let Me Go at The Rose Theatre presents a thought-provoking adaptation of Ishiguro's work, giving justice to the wonderfully crafted story. While it captivates with its visual storytelling and some strong performances, it occasionally falters in delivering the profound emotional depth of the original narrative. It doesn’t quite capture the intense unease one should feel watching a play that examines the lengths humans will go to save others. Yet, there is no doubt the play will play on my mind for a long time, prompting reflection on the very essence of humanity.

Never Let Me Go plays at The Rose Theatre in Kingston. Tickets and more information can be found here - Never Let Me Go — Based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro | Rose Theatre, Kingston, London

Photos by Hugo Glendinning