Review: The Nightingales at Cambridge Arts Theatre

This new play by William Gaminara, which is actress Ruth Jones' first stage role since 2006, runs until Saturday, November 17.

The story of The Nightingales follows Maggie as she turns up for her first day rehearsing as part of a local acapella group. Soon, the newcomer is urging them to enter Talentfest, a potentially life-changing route to Britain’s Got Talent.

Set in a village hall, with an urn and Jaffa cakes, the piece cleverly unravels the troubled and tangled lives of six villagers, who have been meeting regularly for nine years to sing in a local choir for “a bit of fun”.

That soon changes when TV star Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey, Little Britain), playing the compelling and brilliantly observed Maggie appears one day to become a part of this troubled but outwardly happy group.

With snippets of poignant and beautiful songs, interwoven into a gripping script, the anguish, desperation and painful reality of the lives of these villagers is slowly revealed.

The Nightingales, directed by Christopher Luscombe and led by the very talented Ruth Jones, doesn’t disappoint at all. Fresh from its opening in Bath, this touching play – which Ruth was expecting to politely decline but on first reading was thrilled to be part of – will be loved and enjoyed by theatregoers across the country.

Ruth herself says of the play: “I think it’s a really compelling story, peopled with fascinating characters who, as an audience member, you can never be a hundred per cent sure about, which makes it all the more deliciously intriguing...

“I love theatre that keeps you guessing and The Nightingales certainly does that.” This writer would definitely agree.

The Nightingales starts at 7.45pm every day until Saturday, with matinee performances at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday.

Tickets: £25-£45 (all ticket prices include a £3 per-ticket booking fee).

cambridgeartstheatre.com