Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew | A Special And Memorable Play That Leaves A Lasting Impact | Review

In a time where LGBTQ+ rights are seemingly a consistent matter of debate, Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew is a new British play making its world debut at Bush Theatre that demonstrates the importance of amplifying queer voices, theatre, and why allyship is so important – even more so for queer people of colour. Because in a world so beautifully diverse as ours, those stories matter too.  

Running at the Bush Theatre with a company of just 4 performers and under the direction of Debbie Hannan, there’s a real feeling of intimacy. The small space works well for such a sensitive piece of theatre. The company is comprised of Coral Wylie, Wil Johnson, Pooky Quesnel and Omari Douglas, all of whom are fantastic. The four all have a brilliant dynamic and it was highly enjoyable watching them all interact and their relationships grow throughout the play.

It takes a certain skill to be able to tell such an impactful story as this every night and have those emotions feel raw and real and consistent for the whole duration of the show, night after night – yet this is demonstrated brilliantly. Douglas brought so much truth and warmth to Duncan; the love felt between Duncan and the other three characters was natural and genuine. His scenes shared with Wylie as Pip/P were of particular interest, as the pair never directly interact or meet, yet there is still a touching relationship formed between the two that carries great weight. This could have been a potentially tricky relationship to convey, but Douglas and Wylie expressed it perfectly. Johnson and Quesnel complete the company as Craig and Lorin, P’s parents and dear friends of Duncan. The pair have a wholesome chemistry not only with each other but with Duncan and P. The exploration of grief that is always present as well as being a parent navigating how to be there for a child who is still discovering themselves is something far from easy to perform I am sure…yet Johnson and Quesnel’s performances exploring this were touching and delicate. The raw emotions from every performer were palpable and the performances from every member of the company felt authentic, genuine and heartfelt. Every person on that stage should be proud of themselves for being a part of something so special. 

Wylie is not only starring in the show but is also the writer; whilst Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew deals with complex themes and the piece is extremely emotive and moving, the script itself is stunning. Beautiful, lyrical and poetic, this play showcases what a talent Wylie is at not only writing such a fantastic play, but also what a fantastic performer they are. To tell a story so relevant yet also so vulnerable and raw takes great bravery – but this a story that needed to be told. It is one that I believe many people will learn and benefit greatly from. Whilst the show is somewhat heavy, and not an easy one to watch for the right reasons, there is a good balance between these heavy emotions and lighter scenes and some heartwarming and comedic moments; the play is skillfully layered…although with this being said, do remember to take tissues – the night I attended, there was barely a dry eye in the house! 

To put the impact of a show such as Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew into perspective – imagine this. Imagine a non-binary bisexual person of colour sat watching a show, about a non-binary, bisexual person of colour…the impact that could have on an audience member cannot be understated. This play has the chance to educate audiences, to inspire audiences – to remind audiences that it’s okay to know or not know who you are, it’s okay to explore your identity, that being LGBTQ+ doesn’t change depending on if you’re single, married, alive or gone. 

Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew is a play that could make someone feel validated, accepted, represented and seen. It could make someone feel less alone and understood. And isn’t that something beautiful beyond words and worth celebrating?

The staging, courtesy of Max Johns, is simple, at first glance, yet clever; sections of the walls come away to reveal more scenery that aids scenes, and without giving anything away, the final scene is a vibrant wonder alone. The simplicity of this staging works well for the production – it is always clear where a scene is taking place, yet there is never more than necessary; there is space given to the characters, the text, the story – the vital bones of a show. The details of the set, costumes and props all bring a play to life, but without a good script or without developed characters, even they cannot save a play; in the case of Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew, this is far from a problem; this play has a great script, brilliant characters and the added details only elevate the play further.

There is so much more I want to and could say about this remarkable piece of theatre, but I think this is one best experienced firsthand. Whatever I say, words will never do enough justice to such a powerful play as this. Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew takes audiences on a journey; I was lost in the story. The characters all stole my heart. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and perhaps most importantly of all, it made me have hope.

Whilst at face value Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew is a play about LGBTQ+  voices, black queer voices and history…it’s so much more. It’s a play about grief, identity, discovery, how we remember and honour someone, how we can keep their memory and spirit alive, how we love and accept one another, how we stand by and stand up for marginalised voices and so much more. Some of the most important stories are those that share experiences. Those that allow people to have the chance to explore lives so different from their own, to open their eyes to new experiences, cultures, and generations. Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew is one such story. Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew is a new British play the world needs right now; it is a truly special and memorable play that makes one feel and leaves a lasting impact. And after all, theatre that makes you think, makes you feel, that leaves an impact…they are the kinds of shows that makes theatre such a vital art form. They are the best kind of shows. 

Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew is running at Bush Theatre until the 22nd March 2025. You can find out more about the show and buy tickets here: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/lavender-hyacinth-violet-yew/