Lena

A very sad story, sensitively told. Erin Armstrong captures the innocence and naivety of the child Lena, then the power of her older self still with that big voice. Jon Culshaw is effective as Hughie Green, acting as narrator for the story. Helen Logan plays a seductive, manipulating villain as Lena's manager with great aplomb. For me, the parents anchored the show. Julie Coombe balances her mother's aspirations and frustrations beautifully, managing to sing that bit badly which emphasises her eclipse by her daughter. Alan McHugh gently charts her father's conflicting emotions as he tries to support her success and troubles. He was the catalyst who inspired the two women in his life, yet he lost them both. A charismatic performance.

Derek Benfield