Angel House, Birmingham REP

Feb 21 2008 By Alison Dayani

DESPITE the bleak storyline of sibling rivalry and dysfunctional relationships on an innercity estate, there were plenty of comic one-liners to lift the mood.

This intriguing play by Roy Williams displayed snapshots of characters from across the 'Angel House' estate.

But the core issues of brotherly love and jealousy, teenage angst and family secrets appealed to all, whatever their background.

Moving swiftly from the feud between a drugdealer and his achiever brother to flirting between old-timers and relationships between troubled teens, the threads of the story slowly weaved together into a social commentary.

There were some big names in this production, including Richard Blackwood and former Eastenders actor Mark Monero as brothers, but neither managed to outshine matriarch Claire Benedict, playing their long suffering mother Jean.

Benedict was superb, moving the audience one moment with her regrets and making them laugh the next with her witty delivery as a pivotal character. Angel House continues at Birmingham Rep until Saturday.