Larkrise to Candleford - Watermill Theatre REVIEW

With corsets, candlelight and carriage wheels firmly back in fashion thanks to Bridgerton, Downton Abbey and a steady stream of period revivals on stage, it feels like the perfect moment for Watermill Theatre to revisit Lark Rise to Candleford. 

Based on Flora Thompson’s beloved novels, this new adaptation by Tamsin Kennard, who also serves as composer and musical director, leans confidently into nostalgia while offering a warm, musically rich evening of storytelling.

From the outset, the fourth wall is gently but decisively broken. The precedent is set early: this is a company of actor-musicians who will slip fluidly between narrators and characters, between present reflection and past action. Laura’s reminiscences become the spine of the piece, with the cast conjuring her memories in vivid, often playful flashbacks. 

Kennard’s arrangements and harmonies are undeniably lovely. The music is the production’s beating heart, binding the community of Lark Rise together. The standout moment comes in the rousing drinking song in the local pub that makes you want to leap up, join the chorus and start playing percussion on the nearest available tankard.

Visually and tonally, the production has a bright, airy quality that makes it feel like a balm. There’s an ease to the storytelling, an unforced charm that makes for deeply relaxing and enjoyable viewing. The characterful choreography injects pace and vitality, particularly in the ensemble numbers, giving even quieter narrative stretches a lift.

Performance-wise, the company is strong throughout. Zrey Sholapirkar brings terrific comic timing to Godfrey Parish and various other roles, adding a welcome dash of eccentricity. Yet it is Jessica Temple’s Laura who anchors the piece. She is wide-eyed, utterly endearing and just a little bit adrift. Even when Laura is simply navigating the small dramas of everyday life, Temple ensures we are fully invested. You can’t help but adore her.

And yet, for all its charm, Lark Rise to Candleford does feel as though it’s searching for a firmer dramatic spine. The story ultimately lands on a message about forging your own path, but the journey towards that conclusion isn’t always as clearly shaped as it could be. It takes a while to get going, and even once it does, there’s a persistent whisper at the back of the mind: where is this heading? What unfolds moment to moment is often delightful but the overarching narrative arc lacks the strength to quite carry it to full emotional impact.

Still, this is an evening rich in warmth, music and gentle humour. While a stronger plot drive might elevate it from charming to truly compelling, Watermill’s Lark Rise to Candleford remains a perfectly enjoyable slice of escapism.