Candlesticks, a 30-year-old play that once was controversial, topical, and challenging, has today sadly lost its sheen.

The show opens with a bombshell that shatters an already challenging relationship between mother and daughter, Louise (Mary Tillett) and Jenny (Sophie McMahon). The indecent act in question being Jenny’s sudden and dramatic conversion from Judaism to Christianity undertaken, a decision that leaves Louise in deep mourning. Driving an even deeper wedge between their relationship is their unreligious yet opinionated neighbour Julia (Kathryn Worth) and her son Ian (James Duddy), a lost soul seeking a greater meaning in his life.

Candlesticks promises to be an in-depth discourse between the shifting religious stances of close friends and family. Further stretching the strains between relationships are the often antisemitic microaggressions that come from Julia and her work colleagues, whether she realises her indiscretions or not. Sadly, Candlesticks does not live up to the challenges it attempts to address. What might have been considered revolutionary and controversial 30 years ago has aged poorly.

Instead of developing the questions that are initially posed, Candlesticks simply keeps bringing them up in a roundabout manner. The show never develops into a meaningful conversation, rather it becomes frustrating watching the characters argue over the same topics again and again with no satisfying resolution. Meaningful character or story developments are pushed aside to keep justifying the cyclical arguments taking place.

One such example is Louise’s unwavering criticism of Julia for defending the antisemitism in her workplace. Despite Louise’s passion and clear hurt, Julia neither changes her ways nor does Louise break the friendship. Everything simply remains in stasis so that more arguments can be pushed toward the audience.

Thankfully every cloud has a silver lining, in this case being the performances of the two mothers. Both Mary Tillett and Kathryn Worth are a joy to behold. They showcase compassion and respect for the story they are telling and the difficult topics within. 

There are many interesting directorial choices throughout, and whilst overall there are no glaring issues there is one scene set outside that feels deeply out of place. The narrative takes place within the confines of a single living room, a choice that helps draw the audience into the intimacy of the world. This strengthens our bond to the topics at hand, along with the woes faced by Louise.

Disappointingly, Candlesticks has a rather abrupt ending, unceremoniously ejecting the audience with a feeling of confusion. Unsure if the goal was to raise awareness for Judaism, or highlight the dangers posed by opposed religions.