Review: Tender, Bush Theatre

Tender could be mistaken, on the face of it, for a simple queer love story; a discovery of self – all caused by a chance meeting. But writer Eleanor Tindall takes us down the rabbit hole in this thriller of an evening at the theatre.

Written in 2024, the play follows Ivy (Nadi Kemp-Sayfi) who has a boyfriend, a job, and steady life, until she meets Ash (Francesca Amewudah-Rivers), and the pair’s lives become intertwined as they struggle with their pasts. Their first meetings are sheepish and awkward, but as we watch, their obsession consumes them both.

At times you can’t help but feel that Tindall has crammed everything she could think of into this play. Themes of abortion, stalking, even cannibalism, leave this melting pot feeling unfinished and under-explored. The writing is at its best when it’s colloquial and familiar, discussing the extortionate price of a coffee and an almond croissant, or the merits of a post-drink kebab. The comedy is also a treat although, when paired with largely naturalistic dialogue, it makes the more lyrical text feel out of place and forced.

Kemp-Sayfi and Amewudah-Rivers are wonderfully matched and nuanced in their performances, flitting from moment to moment at the drop of a hat. Kemp-Sayfi’s Ivy is discovering her identity, whilst struggling with her past. She spends a lot of the latter half of the performance on the verge of tears – a masterclass in seeing not telling, only making you wish the writing really let her go there. Amewudah-Rivers complements this perfectly, instantly likeable and relatable and a great entry point for audiences.

Amewudah-Rivers doubles as Ivy’s boyfriend and brother. As the play goes on and both get increasing scene time, you can’t help but think it would have been better to see the characters come to life onstage in real time instead of their lines being reeled into a microphone. Their dialogue becomes intertwined in scenes, which can make it difficult to decipher who is who when they’re both being played by one actor.

Direction by Emily Aboud complements the thrust staging of the Bush Theatre. However, the movement direction, especially in longer sequences feels unnatural and not fully embodied, leaving some sequences better suited to a film rather than a theatre production.

Lighting design by David Doyle is striking throughout, nimbly traversing between the two characters’ worlds. Alys Whitehead’s set design includes a square hole in the centre of the stage floor. Walled with mirrors, it features a pool of blood, which the actors on occasion step in, before returning to the cream carpet draped over the rest of the space. It’s an interesting idea but one you’d hope would leave a bigger visual mark.

Tender is 1 hour 30 minutes of stellar acting with a script that leaves you aching for a little more. It is at times thrilling and full of surreal moments, but at its best when the heart and true-to-life language of the characters takes centre stage.

Writer: Eleanor Tindall
Director: Emily Aboud
Set and Costume Designer: Alys Whitehead
Lighting Designer: David Doyle
Sound Designer: Ellie Isherwood
Intimacy Director: Tommy Ross-Williams
Assistant Intimacy Director: Sophie Cooch
Producer: Jessie Anand Productions
Associate Producer: Broccoli Arts
Lead Producer, for the Bush Theatre: Emma Halstead

Tender plays at the Bush Theatre until Saturday 1 August.