REVIEW: WALKING EACH OTHER HOME @ THE OLD RED LION THEATRE

🎭 Walking Each Other Home

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

🗓 Wednesday 29th April 2026

⭐️ 4 Stars

A TRIPLE SHOT OF FAITH, HOPE, AND MEMORY

There is something uniquely "London" about grabbing a pint at the Old Red Lion in Angel and then heading upstairs to be emotionally dismantled by a piece of new writing. This week, it was the turn of Seraphim Theatre Company with their premiere of WALKING EACH OTHER HOME.

Let’s be real: this play is ambitious. It isn’t just content with tackling one difficult subject; it stares down a whole firing squad of them - homophobia, the trauma of emotional abuse, drug addiction, and the slow-motion grief of dementia. But what makes Tim Graves’ writing so special is how he cushions this heaviness with a profound sense of spirituality. The play exists in this beautiful, messy intersection where Amazonian shamanism meets the Sikh faith, all anchored by that Ram Dass philosophy that we’re all just supporting one another toward the finish line. It’s a bold, multicultural, and multi-lingual tapestry that feels both rare and vital on the fringe scene.

The standout for me was Christopher Poke as Frank. Writing a character with early-onset dementia is a tightrope walk. The danger is that you risk being overly sentimental or clinically cold. But Graves writes Frank with such palpable compassion, and Poke’s performance is nothing short of superb. It’s a compelling, quiet masterclass in acting; you can actually see his memory wavering in his eyes. Those moments where he loses his footing in the present are heartbreakingly realistic.

Countering Frank’s confusion is Amrik Tumber as the caregiver, Sandeep. Tumber gives a performance so grounded and soulful that I was 100% sold on his faith and his integrity. Sandeep is just a really likeable guy—the sort of person everyone needs in their life when the world starts to fray at the edges.

I’ll admit, I had a bit of a "getting to know you" phase with Michael, played by Edward Fisher. In Act 1, the character felt a bit wordy - almost as if he was using a surplus of language to shield himself from the reality of being thrown back into his childhood. I struggled to truly connect with his viewpoint initially, but stick with him. By Act 2, the writing for Michael becomes much more succinct and fluid, and I found myself warming to him as Fisher peeled back the layers of the character’s defense mechanisms.

The real magic, though, is in the friction between these three. The conflicts are sharp, the reconciliations feel earned, and the chemistry is engaging throughout. Even the technical elements - though simple in terms of set, sound, and lighting - were incredibly effective, allowing the raw emotion of the performances to take centre stage without any unnecessary clutter.

It’s a thoughtful, spiritual, and deeply human piece of theatre. If you want a play that challenges your brain and hits your heart in equal measure, get yourself to Angel.

WALKING EACH OTHER HOME continues performances until Saturday 16th May. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Walking Each Other Home was gifted by Seraphim Theatre Company who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Christopher Poke as Frank; Amrik Tumber as Sandeep; Edward Fisher as Michael

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour 50 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Strong language; Homophobic language; References to drug addiction and child abuse; Depictions of dementia

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