The House of Lawrence Stoke-on-Trent

Reviews

1. Ethan Caldwell ★★★★★

   I saw this show advertised on Facebook and had never heard of this house before. Me and a friend from work were a little apprehensive attending but we are so glad we did. The show was phenomenal! The script was aggressive yet meticulous in getting across such a controversial topic. Having read other reviews on this same show I was extremely ashamed to see others have used a show about abuse and exploitation to essentially to bring down a director who was trying to portray such a message. I think if you are more devoted to criticising the music and staging for this type of show, then maybe musicals and the west end should be where you go. I thought the atmosphere set from the stage, the kitchen set and the smoke instantly set the mood walking into the room. The direction was incredibly strong, every scene felt purposeful, and the pacing kept me completely engaged from start to finish. What really stood out to me was the way you brought out such authentic performances from the cast. The emotional moments hit hard, and the lighter beats had just the right balance a real testament to your vision and leadership behind the show Congratulations on such a well-executed piece of work. I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing what you do next. Me and my friend will definitely be back!

   almost 11 months ago
2. Rory “Kempsi” Kempsell ★★★☆☆

   I saw "5 Kinds of Silence" twice at House of Lawrence. After a disappointing first night (unexpectedly changed to an open dress rehearsal as the show began), I returned for the final performance to give it a fair shot. While the production remained uneven, it was clear that both companies approached the material with care and conviction. Originally a radio play, "5 Kinds of Silence" relies heavily on performance and intimacy to explore power, abuse, and generational trauma. When the effects didn’t overwhelm the scene, the cast delivered gripping, emotionally resonant work. Chaos Combined handled the difficult themes with maturity and sensitivity, showing a real understanding of the material's emotional depth. Georgia King stood out with a powerful portrayal of Susan, and Brandon Boon gave a chilling, layered performance as Billy. Both were highlights in a strong ensemble, whose chemistry and commitment carried many of the production’s most compelling moments. Technically, the show was ambitious. The lighting design was striking—especially the use of red tones and the opening pyrotechnic effect. However, not all effects served the story. The rain effect, for example, was visually impressive in one scene but felt unnecessary and distracting in another. The advertised smell pods didn’t land for me—I couldn’t detect much at all. The revised ending was the biggest misstep. Though slightly reined in for the final performance, it still felt out of step with the characters’ emotional journey and weakened the impact of the story. Despite its flaws, this was a bold and committed production. Chaos Combined brought emotional truth to the stage, and when given space to shine, actors from both companies made the text resonate. With a more restrained technical approach, their performances could have landed even more powerfully. I appreciate House of Lawrence for providing a platform for emerging artists. With tighter direction and a stronger balance between design and storytelling, I’m excited to see what House of Lawrence and Chaos Combined do next—together or independently.

   almost 11 months ago
3. Wendy Scott ★★★★★

   Five Kinds of Silence Watched Sat 26th July 2025 I cannot express how good this play was. It took you on an emotional rollercoaster, it focuses on Mary, her husband Billy and 2 daughters Janet and Susan. Billy is sexually and emotionally abusive to all 3. When Billy is shot dead his presence is still felt. The actors were absolutely superb and you were drawn into the story which focuses on abuse and even the background narrative on Billy. The small theatre is a lovely little space and the stage setting was brilliant. I am looking forward to see what they do next.

   almost 11 months ago

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