{"id":163081,"date":"2024-02-13T15:50:01","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T11:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/?p=163081"},"modified":"2024-02-13T17:22:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T13:22:32","slug":"the-hills-of-california-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/the-hills-of-california-review\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hills of California review | A journey through time and family bonds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jez Butterworth\u2019s<\/b> latest play at the Harold Pinter Theatre<\/a>, The Hills of California, invites audiences on a poignant journey\u2014a blend of nostalgia, mystery, and family dynamics. Set against the faded grandeur of a once-stately Blackpool home, this three-act drama unfolds across two pivotal moments in time. As the Webb sisters reunite, secrets emerge, and the house itself becomes a silent witness to their shared history.<\/p>\n

The genius of Sam Mendes and Jeff Butterworth reunite<\/h2>\n

The Hills of California, unfolds like a tapestry of memories, spanning two distinct time frames. Set against the backdrop of a once-grand family home in Blackpool, this three-act drama explores the complexities of sisterhood, secrets, and the passage of time. Rob Howell\u2019s<\/b> set design immediately captures our attention. The looming house, once the Seaview Luxury Guest House and Spa, stands weathered and worn. Staircases stretch into the eaves, leading to hidden rooms named after distant American states\u2014Alabama, Mississippi, Minnesota, and Tennessee. These rooms hold dreams of escape, promises of a better life. But within these walls lie deeper secrets, waiting to be unearthed.<\/p>\n

Veronica, the matriarch, rules this house with a mix of determination and longing. Laura Donnelly\u2019s<\/b> charismatic performance reveals Veronica\u2019s disappointments\u2014the absent husband, the murky past. She dreams beyond Blackpool\u2019s confines, pushing her daughters to become their own version of the Andrews Sisters. Veronica\u2019s belief that \u201ca song is a dream, a place to be, somewhere to live\u201d echoes throughout the play. As the four sisters reunite, tensions simmer beneath the surface. Gloria\u2019s (Leanne Best)<\/b> complaints about her crimplene slacks and Ruby\u2019s (Ophelia Lovibond)<\/b> air-conditioned Datsun from Rochdale add a touch of humor. Meanwhile, Dennis, Ruby\u2019s bewildered husband, grapples with the unfamiliar heat. Butterworth\u2019s writing captures these everyday moments, revealing ripples of anger lurking beneath the surface.<\/p>\n

In 1955, we witness the same house as Veronica trains the young Webb sisters to sing in close harmony\u2014a dream that binds them together. But even then, secrets fester. Butterworth masterfully explores memory\u2019s impact, revealing how it colors lives across generations. Sam Mendes\u2019s<\/b> direction creates a statuesque tension. The sisters often stand on opposite sides of the stage, emphasizing their emotional distance. Leanne Best infuses Gloria with frustrated energy and profound loss, while Ophelia Lovibond\u2019s Ruby carries the weight of unspoken fears. Helena Wilson\u2019s<\/b> Jill embodies restraint, and Richard Lumsden\u2019s<\/b> drunken piano player draws genuine pathos. Joan\u2019s absence hangs over the narrative like a ghostly veil. We know little about her\u2014only that she left for America and never returned. Her mysterious disappearance fuels the play\u2019s central mystery. Why did she leave? What secrets lie buried within her silence?<\/p>\n

The Hills of California may not reach the explosive heights of Butterworth\u2019s previous works, but it remains an interesting evening\u2014a slow smolder that ignites sparks of revelation. As the final act unfolds, we confront guilt, loss, and the enduring power of family bonds. This faded house, with its hidden rooms and haunting memories, becomes a microcosm of life itself\u2014a place where dreams and regrets collide.<\/p>\n

The Hills of California review | What the critics think<\/h2>\n

\u201cDevastatingly moving, bitterly funny, tender, cruel and wise.\u201d \u2014 Sam Marlowe, The Stage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cLaura Donnelly shines in Jez Butterworth\u2019s bold MeToo drama.\u201d \u2014 Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cJerusalem\u2019 playwright Jez Butterworth returns with a remarkable play about a divided family of women.\u201d \u2014 Andrzej Lukowski, TimeOut<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cJez Butterworth’s new play is consistently surprising.\u201d \u2014 Nick Curtis, The Evening Standard<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

How to buy The Hills of California tickets in London?<\/h2>\n

Looking for budget-friendly tickets for The Hills of California in London? Book your tickets online! Enjoy last-minute availability, choose your seats using the Harold Pinter Theatre seating plan<\/a>, and skip the queues by booking at your convenience.<\/p>\n

BUY THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA TICKETS<\/span><\/a>\"LondonLondon Theatre Guide <\/p>\n

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Want to watch London theatre without splurging on it? Our guide to getting cheap West End tickets has all that you need – best tickets, shows & more! <\/a><\/p>\n

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For more West End information, here are some helpful quick links!<\/p>\n

\"CheapHow To Buy Cheap West End Tickets <\/a> \"BestBest West End Shows in London <\/a> \"WestA-Z London Theatre Seating Plans <\/a> \"WestEverything About West End London <\/a><\/p>\n

Be sure to check out our guide on the seating plan for West End theatres<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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EXPLORE NOW<\/p>\n

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Jez Butterworth\u2019s latest play at the Harold Pinter Theatre, The Hills of California, invites audiences on a poignant journey\u2014a blend of nostalgia, mystery, and family dynamics. Set against the faded grandeur of a once-stately Blackpool home, this three-act drama unfolds across two pivotal moments in time. As the Webb sisters reunite, secrets emerge, and the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":169,"featured_media":163088,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2315,547],"tags":[6745,6994,6284,7010,6999,7120],"yoast_head":"\nThe Hills of California Review | London Theatre | Headout<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"London\u2019s The Hills of California review is out now! Experience the enthralling story of four sisters in the summer of 1976 in Blackpool, at Harold Pinter Theatre. 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