See this: Jumpy with Tamsin Greig and Doon Mackichan

First seen at the Royal Court last Autumn, Jumpy is quite simply one of the funniest, most poignant plays I have seen in a long time. Written by April De Angelis, it features Hilary, a middle class 50 year old woman, who lives in Walthamstow with her husband and 15 year old daughter.

Left wing, feminist, Hilary (played by Tamsin Grieg) is an amalgamation of many of the 50 something women I know in Stoke Newington (including myself) and her best friend Frances (Doon Mackichan) is our funny, slightly mad, single friends – all rolled into one.

Hilary’s difficult relationship with her daughter Tilly (Bel Mooney) will resonate with mothers and daughters and may make some feel uncomfortable. I took my teen along and we laughed together in a mutually affectionate “you’re just like that” kind of a way, but I overheard a couple of mothers and daughters bickering about the characters on the way out!

A story about ageing, friendship, marriage and most of all what it’s like to be a women, the characters are wonderfully observed and very funny and the soundtrack is an amalgamation of familiar iconic 70’s and 80’s tunes.

Tamsin Greig is compelling, moving and totally believable and Doon Mackichan’s “Burlesque” performance is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in years.

I loved Tilly’s reference to the ‘mentalpause’.

Prior to the performance on the 25th of September, there will be discussion titled ‘Has the legacy of feminism been betrayed?’ chaired by former GMTV presenter and journalist Penny Smith. She’ll be joined by Immodesty Blaize; the UK’s Number one Burlesque dancer; Dr Rebecca Johnson, women’s peace activist and former Greenham Common resident, April De Angelis and Olivia Grant, a graduate in creative writing from the University of East Anglia.

On until November the 3rd, you can book tickets here