Edinburgh 2022: Review: JESUS, JANE, MOTHER & ME, Pleasance Dome
Review of Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me at Edinburgh Fringe
Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me is a tragicomedy with more parts tragedy than humour. Daniel, perpetually branded as a 'strange boy', lives with his mother. They have a difficult relationship until they take a trip to a music gig together and form a mutual obsession with Jane McDonald. Bonded over their super fandom, Daniel is grateful for this new facet of their relationship until his Mum's behaviour makes it all go awry...
Jack Stokes as Daniel Valentine is hypnotic and intense, and his performance is flawless. He hits the right note in every single word of Philip Stokes' script. Craig Lomas' set design is decadently chaotic, appropriately facilitating the excess that comes with Daniel and his depth of feeling and his obsessions. At 70 minutes, the show felt a little arduous in the middle. The play balances tension and levity well, so perhaps it feels more obvious when your emotional investment takes a little dip.
Nevertheless, hyper-focused on tricky familial relationships, Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me places the spotlight on a vital societal narrative to illuminate. When systems fail families, individuals are left behind. Daniel and his mother can't be saved by religion or by Jane McDonald. This play fills you with heartache and urges your humanity and compassion.
Reader Reviews
Get Broadway News on WhatsApp
Receive the latest updates, breaking news, and exclusive coverage from Broadway directly in WhatsApp.
Videos
|
One Man Poe: The Black Cat and The Raven Greenside Venue @ Riddles Court (Willow Studio) – Venue 16 - 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG (8/07-8/29) |
|
Friendliest Gilded Balloon (The Nook) (8/08-8/31) |
|
Concerts of the Future Summerhall (Lobby) (8/06-8/30) |
|
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Alhambra Theatre (10/07-10/10) |
|
The Business Man and The Case of M. Valdemar Greenside Venue @ Riddles Court (Willow Studio) – Venue 16 - 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG (8/07-8/28) |
|
Roomies Underbelly (Jersey) (8/05-8/31) |
|
A Giant Reawakens — free organ concert in St Stephen's Theatre, Stockbridge St Stephen's Theatre (6/20-6/20) |
|
Damin Spritzer (USA) — Cathedral Keys 2026 organ concert Glasgow Cathedral (6/17-6/17) |
|
Baby Wants Candy Assembly George Square Studios - One (8/05-8/30) |
|
Suitcase Show Assembly Roxy (8/05-8/30) |
| VIEW ALL SHOWS ADD A SHOW | |