Tim Firth’s This Is My Family finally pitches its tent in London, and under Vicky Featherstone’s direction, this long-awaited opening is worth the wait. Staged at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, this bittersweet musical comedy about a family holiday gone awry is heartwarming and hilariously relatable.
At the centre of the story is Nicky, played with a sparky charm by Nancy Allsop, a teenager who wins a dream holiday by writing about her family—though not quite the one she actually has. Instead of choosing a glamorous getaway, she drags her fractious clan to a remote camping site, hoping to rekindle the love and connection that once bound them.
Firth’s book and lyrics are emotionally astute, blending laugh-out-loud moments with poignant reflections on family and the quiet ache of growing apart. His music, arranged by Caroline Humphris, is deceptively simple—melodic, conversational, and deeply character-driven. The songs, although sometimes a little too repetitive, are both comic and revealing, offering insight into the characters’ inner lives without ever feeling forced.
Too often, though, these gentle tunes become cacophonic in nature; the quarrelling family (you can see why Nicky chose to fictionalise them for the competition) drowns out the lyrics, while at other times, especially after the interval, the music drowns out the actors.
Gemma Whelan is a standout as Yvonne, the brittle, overworked mother whose patience is stretched thin. She brings a brittle wit and aching vulnerability to the role, matched beautifully by Michael Jibson’s Steve, the well-meaning but emotionally stunted father. Victoria Elliott’s Sian, the older sister, is a storm of teenage angst and sarcasm, while Luke Lambert’s Matt adds a touch of wide-eyed innocence as the younger brother. Gay Soper, as the grandmother May, delivers some of the evening’s most touching moments and laugh-out-loud lines.
Chloe Lamford’s set design cleverly evokes the chaos of family life; the first act is dominated by a ‘do-it-yourself’ style house, reflecting Steve’s personality. The second act transforms the stage to the campground, with towering trees in which the band are nestled.
The story wanders a little in both halves, but Featherstone’s direction keeps everything on track and doesn’t lose sight of the emotional core. This Is My Family is not a flashy musical—it doesn’t need to be. It’s a tender, truthful piece that finds the extraordinary in the everyday. At times it’s reminiscent of Fun Home, and Firth’s musical reminds us that sometimes, it’s not how far you travel, but who you take with you on the journey.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
