The play opens with a flurry of voicemails and voice notes, offering us an immediate insight into the dynamic between sisters Sienna (Naomi Denny) and Emily (LJ Johnson) – they are playful and deeply connected. The sisters move through the space, often mirroring each other’s gestures and actions – a physical representation of their closeness. A sudden, jarring car beep interrupts the sequence, pulling us sharply back into reality.

We follow Sienna as she navigates everyday life, taking on work she doesn’t have the capacity for, attending an art exhibition with her boyfriend Sam (Dejon Mullings) and managing her father’s care home arrangements. Emily lingers in the background throughout, commenting on Sienna’s choices, challenging her and refusing to be disregarded. As the movement sequences repeat and grow increasingly frenzied, the truth unfolds – Emily died suddenly and Sienna is grappling with the volume of losing her.

Despite the topic of grief underpinning the piece, the sisters’ history is full of warmth, banter and joy. Their love for music becomes a recurring theme – an outlet for dancing, singing and enlivening their bond. Denny delivers a beautifully nuanced performance as Sienna, balancing vulnerability and control as she tries to hold together a world slipping through her fingers. Johnson is electric as Emily – a presence brimming with both a lust and longing for life alongside carrying the weight of her premature departure, all the while embodying an intense desire to remain close to her sister.

As the story progresses, Emily’s constant presence becomes both comforting and consuming for Sienna. At one point, she asks Sam to leave her alone during a moment of intimacy, unable to explain Emily’s overwhelming aura. Dejon Mullings brings a gentle depth to Sam, depicting a partner who is patient and loving, calmly holding space for Sienna even when she resists and ultimately being the one to support her in moving forward without forgetting.  

ALL THE HAPPY THINGS is a poignant and intimate piece of new writing, merging memory, humour and loss to explore how grief manifests, lingers and evolves over time. It’s a powerful portrayal of sisterhood and sorrow that really moved me – a testament to the strength of the writing, direction (by Lucy Jane Atkinson) and engaging performances at its heart.

ALL THE HAPPY THINGS is at Soho Theatre until 26th April. Tickets from £17 available here.

Photos by Alex Brenner.