A Taste of Honey - Leicester Drama Society Revew

★★★☆☆

There’s something about A Taste of Honey that still hits hard, even over sixty years after it first premiered. Shelagh Delaney’s kitchen-sink drama about working-class life, love, and loss in 1950s Salford isn’t an easy ride—it’s raw, it’s uncomfortable, and it doesn’t shy away from difficult themes. Leicester Drama Society’s latest production brings this classic back to the stage with a committed and detailed retelling, featuring strong performances and a beautifully realised set.

Celeste Walton as Jo and Holly Matusiewicz as Helen. Photo by Jonathan Pryke.

At the heart of the story is Jo (Celeste Walton), a teenage girl forced to navigate pregnancy and independence after her ‘fur-coat-no-knickers’ mother, Helen (Holly Matusiewicz), leaves her to pursue a new romance. Walton carries the show with a performance full of defiance and quiet vulnerability—there’s a real steeliness in her portrayal, but it’s in the moments where that façade cracks that she’s at her most compelling. Matusiewicz brings plenty of energy to Helen, capturing her sharp tongue and selfish tendencies, but also managing to find glimpses of the maternal instinct buried beneath.

Abdullah Henly’s Jimmy, the sailor who sweeps Jo off her feet before disappearing from her life, is charismatic, loving and warm, making his absence in the second act all the more striking. Freddie Dobrijevic’s Peter, Helen’s new lover, is loud, brash, and domineering—he certainly commands the stage, though the script gives him little room for depth. The real stand-out of the second half is Thom Jones as Geoffrey, Jo’s kind-hearted, gay flatmate. His presence brings a much-needed softness and humour to the story, and the chemistry between him and Walton makes their unconventional friendship one of the most touching elements of the performance.

Holly Matusiewicz as Helen and Celeste Walton as Jo. Photo by Jonathan Pryke.

Visually, the production is spot on. Steph Nicholls’ set design transports the audience straight into Jo and Helen’s cramped, rundown flat, complete with peeling walls, overflowing clutter, and a sad little curtain marking out the bedroom. The attention to period detail in the costumes helps bring the world to life, and the era-appropriate walk-in music adds another layer of authenticity.

A Taste of Honey is an important play, but performing it in 2025 demands more than just faithful retelling—it requires a clear reason why. This production effectively brought the story to life, with strong performances and an authentic period feel, but without a fresh perspective, it risked simply repeating outdated attitudes rather than challenging them. A trigger warning prepared audiences for the play’s language and prejudices, but that alone isn’t enough. When a character threatens to “drown” her unborn mixed-race grandchild, we need more than historical context—we need a response. Theatre should make us think, not just remind us of how cruel society was, but ask how far we’ve come—or if we’ve truly changed at all. Leicester Drama Society had the chance to shape the play’s message and make it feel urgent. Instead, this felt like a missed opportunity to engage with the play’s themes in a way that speaks to today.

Thom Jones as Geoffrey and Celeste Walton as Jo. Photo by Jenny Harding.

That said, this is a well-performed and well-crafted show, and it’s always a treat to see a Leicester Drama Society production. For those who love a slice of working-class drama, this is a worthwhile evening at the theatre. And with such a lovely cast bringing these characters to life, it’s an engaging watch—even if, by the end, you might find yourself wondering what A Taste of Honey has to say to audiences today.

Abdullah Henley as Jimmy and Celeste Walton as Jo. Photo by Jenny Harding.