The Washing Line, Rayne Theatre at Chickenshed, 290 Chase Side, London, until 5th April 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Mary-Ellen Dyson.

Photo Credit: Steve Gregson.

The Washing Line, Rayne Theatre at Chickenshed, 290 Chase Side, London, until 5th April 2025, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Mary-Ellen Dyson.

“As profoundly disturbing as it intends to be.”

“The Washing Line” is as profoundly disturbing as it intends to be. It is a compelling and brilliantly executed production.

This show examines the Jonestown massacre in Guyana in 1978, the largest mass murder-suicide in modern history. “The Washing Line” provides a nuanced exploration of their cult, “The People’s Temple”. Both the cult’s controlling nature and the genuine happiness that many members found there are sensitively and effectively conveyed. This show treats the victims with empathy and compassion, and I came away understanding why people wanted to join The People’s Temple.

Creatively, “The Washing Line” is incredibly successful. Well-written and well-performed music, directed by Dave Carey, along with innovative and well-executed choreography, directed by Michael Bossisse and Bethany Hamlin, elevates the storytelling. Their staging is imaginative and interesting, crafting memorable visuals that still stand out very vividly in my mind. The excellent voice coaching created an immersive American atmosphere. Chickenshed’s creatives have outdone themselves with this production.

The production features the strongest collection of acting performances that I have seen at Chickenshed. I must highlight the most incredible performance of the show. Jonny Morton is revelatory as Jim Jones. His menace and malevolence fills the auditorium with a powerful aura. In a show filled with excellent performances, Morton’s twisted magnetism steals each and every scene. He and Tristan Manzi, playing younger Jim Jones, perfectly and sickeningly capture the cult leader’s pure and unadulterated evil.

This is the most enthralling production that I have seen in years. It deserves a much wider audience than the Rayne Theatre can provide. It is moving and deeply affecting. Not for the faint-hearted, those who watch “The Washing Line” can expect to be riveted, horrified and darkly entertained.

Cast

Principal cast (in order of appearance)

DI Johnson – Ashley Driver

DI Murphy – Vintage Shaw

Smith – Alice O’Connor

Congressman Ryan – Paul Harris

Stoen – Jack-Wayne Harris

Interviewer 1 – Sienna Da Silva

Lesley Wilson – Ginny Taub

Jim Jones – Jonny Morton

Marceline Jones – Sarah Driver

Jessie – Anna Listo-Rees

Vernon – Alex Brennan

Rodriguez – Keran Patel

Taylor – Daniel Pramatarov

Alex – Elia Criscuoli

Alvin – Hector Dogliani

Mark – Angel Daniel Mboyo

LJ – Ammar Awad

Sister Richmond – Chantelle Alisa

Teri O’Shea – Ellie Carroll

Young Jim Jones – Tristan Manzi

Alan – Callum Clesham

Bradley – Louie Perry

Mitch – Lenny Goodman

Thomas – Sonny Sinclair

Deborah – Corina Elliott

Elliott – William Lawrence

Jackie Speers – Bunny Kwabene

Richard Dwyer – Jimmy Adamou

Athena – Tia Merrifield

Addison – Imogen Tearle

Beverley – Saffire Ellis-James

Ms Symonds – Ferah Ibrahim

Shirley May – Mabel Brooker

Eric – Emmett Ford

Creatives

Directors & Choreographers – Michael Bossisse & Bethany Hamlin

Music Director – Dave Carey

Core Creative Team – Andrew Caddies, Dave Carey, Fiona Carey, Ashley Driver, Bethany Hamlin, Paul Morrall, Jonny Morton

Piece Directors – Michael Bossisse, Courtney Dayes, Ashley Driver, Bethany Hamlin, Georgie Jacobs, Demar Lambert, Shiloh Maersk, Cara McInanny, Gemilla Shamruk, Robin Shillinglaw

People’s Temple Choir – Fiona Carey, Shiloh Maersk, Cara McInanny

Photo credit: Steve Gregson.