IVORIES is based in a small community in a house that’s been in the family for generations and the house is in serious disrepair. Sloane (Riley Elton McCarthy) is the last generation of the family and is staying there to look after their dying Grandmother, who we never hear or see.

Sloane’s husband Gywn (Matthias Hardarson) joins Sloane as the house is in the process of being organised ready to put the house up for sale once their Grandmother dies and leave the past behind.

However, there are ghosts from the past and buried trauma that bubble to the surface as tensions mount up. What we discover took place there explains the discovery that Gwyn makes while gardening.

Daniel Neil Ash in the role of Beckham has arrived to film and list the house for sale. However, as the narrative unfolds we learn that he and Gwyn had a past relationship which Beckham has never recovered from. The three characters have very entwined pasts which leads to jealousy and anger.

The special effects and lighting by Adam Lenson and Skylar Turnbull-Hurd put the theatre space to good use. Banging doors, flashing lights and ghostly sound effects added atmosphere to the play. However, some of these effects were overused and it diluted the impact of its desired effects by the end. Something less can be more when you build up tensions.

The storyline is intriguing in places and there are a couple of “seat-jumping” moments. Towards the end, the storyline became muddled and a bit far-fetched. IVORIES would benefit from being edited some of the door slamming was overused and lost its impact.

For more information about IVORIES and future productions at The Old Red Lion Theatre please use the link below.

Three Stars.

https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/

https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/ivories.html

Written by Riley Elton McCarthy
Directed by Georgie Rankom 
Produced by Riley Elton McCarthy
Set and costumes designed by Verity Johnson
Lighting designed by Skylar Turnbull Hurd 
Sound designed by Adam Lenson

The London premiere of
IVORIES
by Riley Elton McCarthy
directed by Georgie Rankom

Old Red Lion Theatre
418 St John Street,
London
EC1V 4NJ

1 – 26 July, 2025

Tuesday – Saturday
at 7.30pm

Running time:
90mins (no interval)