Warm, loud and full of heart, Meet the Deans at the Brindley Theatre is the kind of local theatre night that leaves you grinning on the walk home. Writer, Producer and Director Kerry Williams’ brilliant play is about a dysfunctional Scouse family trying to rub along together now they’re all back in the family home. The production blends broad Scouse humour with unexpectedly tender family moments, delivering a show that feels both familiar and freshly observed.
Meet the Deans starts when a hard-working mother’s five grown children all return home, each bringing their own ‘baggage’ with no intention of unpacking it quietly. What should have been a family reunion turns into something quite different with one family revelation hitting the family right in the mouth. Tempers flare, secrets spill, and love is tested in the most dangerous place of all: the family home.
Sharp writing with real warmth, the script balances quick-fire jokes and physical comedy with quieter scenes that reveal the characters’ vulnerabilities. Punchlines land without ever undercutting the emotional stakes.
This is an ensemble piece in the best sense: actors listen to one another, play off each other’s rhythms and build believable sibling dynamics. The result is a living, breathing family rather than a string of caricatures.
Accurate direction keeps the momentum brisk while allowing quieter beats to breathe. The show never lingers on sentimentality and it never cheats the audience out of feeling either.
A cosy, well-detailed set and economical lighting create an intimate domestic world. Costumes and props are used for laughs and for character detail, helping the audience settle into the Dean household from the first scene.
This stellar cast features June Stenson as the “Grande Matriarch”, delivering a commanding yet compassionate performance that anchors the entire family dynamic. David Barlow’s Jimmy Dean mixes swagger with surprising vulnerability, giving the character real emotional weight beneath the humour. Sarah Donovan brings dry wit and grounded honesty to Jessica, her reactions alone often stealing the moment. Anthony Woodward’s Joseph fizzes with restless energy, yet he also lands some of the play’s most touching beats with quiet sincerity. Clare Campbell gives Hanna Dean a fierce, funny spark, balancing sharp comedic instincts with a tenderness that creeps up on the audience. Greyson Kempster’s Christopher is a delight, blending youthful charm with mischievous physical comedy that keeps the household lively.
They are supported by an ensemble cast including Peter Edge, who brings a steady, grounded presence; David Holmes, whose crisp character work adds depth to the wider world; Bliss Bentley, offering expressive warmth that elevates emotional beats; Andre Mason, injecting bursts of energy and well-timed humour; and Lisa Crockett, whose nuanced choices round out the ensemble beautifully. Frankie Knight, playing a young Mrs Dean / Policeman 2 / Toni with an ‘I’, is a genuine scene-stealer, shifting between roles with clarity, flair and a versatility that adds texture to every moment they appear.
The Brindley crowd responded like a room full of family friends with steady laughter, audible gasps at well-timed reveals and warm applause for the quieter, more honest moments. The production wears its Liverpool roots lightly: the humour and references feel organic rather than forced, which helps the show land with both local audiences and visitors alike.
Family is at the heart of this both funny and flawed play from the multitalented Kerry Williams. The story is amusing, with some nicely penned lines and genuinely warm humour both intended and unintended, while the family bickering has a ring of authenticity. Well worth going to see.
Find out what else is coming up at The Brindley Theatre at thebrindley.org.uk.
