Presented by: Holden Street Theatres’ Edinburgh Fringe Award ‘22 in association with Ketchup Productions and Richard Jordan Productions
Reviewed: 15 February, 2023

Many ‘coming of age’ dramas delve into teenage angst and examine what pressures affect youth development. Written and directed by Philip Stokes, Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me looks at how being seen as different and the isolation it brings can make a telling difference in people’s lives. Daniel (played by Jack Stokes) is raised by his mother after a traumatic birth and has a childhood strongly influenced by the church, but he remains hopeful. The script is well put together and Stokes delivers the story with a cheerful outlook.

We spend time waiting for the mother to arrive, aware that she and the young man before us are fans of a well-known personality, Jane McDonald. Fans in the true sense of the word: fanatics. Jack lives his life according to the philosophy of Jane (down-to-earth and unassuming) and a preacher whose words have made an impact. The exploration of the mental health aspects and the poignancy of his earnest explanations are moving, as is the end of the play.

The set and lighting design by Craig Lomas make the setting believable and Annie May Fletcher’s sound complements the whole. Holden Street has yet again brought us excellent theatre from overseas, a powerful drama to extend our thinking.

Reviewed by Fran Edwards