“Rose is 18 today, it’s party time in Romford… And it sure looks like that soldier boy Jack is tryin’ to tame this Romford Rose. Well, her Daddy don’t like it, her Mama’s hittin’ the hooch… and it’s only Miss Dolly Parton who seems to understand. So how ‘bout it Rose – you ever gonna make your own music and do what you want?”

I thought I had this production pegged very early on, and I have to confess that I found it difficult to get into. As the tale was unfolding I thought that this was another take on a young woman becoming an adult and her fathers desperate attempts to hold her back as his little girl. That by the end of the play, both Father and Daughter will have compromised and come to accept and understand each other a little more, thus bringing them closer together. I thought the choice of setting it to country music was interesting, but I couldn’t really understand why. I found the characters difficult to relate to and empathise with, and the whole affair quite cheesy and over the top. I knew exactly what the Romford Rose was going to be like.

I was wrong.

As the first half of the show moves forward, something happens that moves the play into very dark territory. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers here, but by the time the first half had finished I cared deeply for the characters in front of me and what happened to them. This for me was an extremely unexpected turn of events, but one that pushed Romford Rose to become a much more ambitious play. The over the top, cheesy shine is still there, but now it is tainted and we know why and why Rose and her family must keep up appearances. We also now why country music plays a big part in the production and indeed Rose life, because by this point, they are living breathing people who have lives and wants and dreams

This move in feel of the play is crafted carefully by creator Chris Bond and the acting, particularly of Sam Pay who plays Rose’s father. In fact in my opinion it is Pay who steals the show, who’s change creeps up on you and before you realise what’s happening its too late. You have come to accept it as all those involved have to.

Romford rose tries to be many things and it doesn’t always work. There are a couple of political references where the characters break the fourth wall (why I don’t know – but it gets a cheer from the audience) and sometimes the musical numbers try to be a little too funny, which at times feels forced. But what the Romford Rose does very well is family dynamics. It forces you to not accept things at face value and examine what might be happening below the surface. Over the 2 hours the production runs for, we are presented with a cast we feel increasingly attached to and some very subtle and intelligent acting which can be easy to miss under the flashing head of Dolly Parton looming above the stage.

Overall I found the Romford Rose to be a very interesting thoughtful play, with some ambitious ideas and complex characters. An excellent live band supports the cast and if you want a a country filled musical evening out, then this is the play for you.

The Romford Rose plays at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 27 May – 18 June. Tickets are £12.50 – £27. On Thursday 2 June, there will be a free Talk Back session after the evening performance, an opportunity for audiences to question the cast and creative teams. Call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at queens-theatre.co.uk

Chris