The Light House
★★★★☆ Hugely affecting
Traverse Theatre: Sat 28 Mar 2026 and tour
Review by Hugh Simpson
The Light House from Alys Williams is a production of real emotional power. It appeared at the Traverse for one performance only at the start of an extensive Scottish tour, but should certainly be caught elsewhere by anyone who has the chance.
Writer and performer Williams details a relationship with Nathan, who is at first a friend but becomes something more. Then she receives a phone call saying that Nathan has been stopped from jumping off a bridge in Dublin.
Alys Williams performing in The Light House. Pic: Anthony Robling.
Williams tells us from the start that the story is based on real life and that it is not going to end badly. Which might remove the jeopardy, but the story that follows reflects love, grief, joy, hope, frustration and compassion in a way that is rare.
It is told with sensitivity, tact and empathy; qualities that are extended to the large amounts of audience participation, which is gentle, unforced and designed to appeal even to those who would normally run a mile from that sort of thing.
This participation makes a one-woman show seem positively crammed with other characters. It also adds greatly to the feeling of community and inclusivity, highlighting the things that live theatre can do and other art forms cannot. Williams also seems to have the ability to choose exactly the right person to involve.
an impressive all-round performer
Which is far from the only gift she displays. She is an engaging storyteller, an adept physical clown and an impressive all-round performer. There is some elegant puppetry, with the anglepoise lamp that stands in for Nathan particularly affecting.
Alys Williams in a performance of The Light House. Pic Anthony Robling
Andrea Heaton’s direction is wonderfully fluid and sympathetic, with excellent use made of Emma Williams’s set. If you hadn’t known it was a touring production, you would swear this had been made specifically for the Traverse 2 space. Matthew Carnazza’s lighting is as powerful as would be expected in a show with ‘light’ in the title.
That lighthouse is used as a metaphor throughout the story, as are the protocols which are employed when someone goes overboard from a ship. Perhaps these metaphors are a little overused, and are not fully integrated into a narrative that sometimes skates over what would appear to be important parts of the story.
These are minor quibbles, however. The overall impact of the production is huge.
Running time: One hour and 5 minutes (no interval)
Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge St, EH1 2ED
Saturday 28 March 2026
One performance: 7pm
Details: www.traverse.co.uk
The Light House on Tour in 2026
The Phoenix (Clifftop Projects), DUMBARTON
1st April 2026 @ 7pm
Book here.
CatStrand, NEW GALLOWAY
4th April 2026 @ 7.30pm
https://gcat.scot/arts/
The Byre Theatre, ST ANDREWS
10th April 2026 @ 7pm
https://byretheatre.com/
Strathearn Arts, CRIEFF
11th April 2026 @ 7.30pm
https://www.tickettailor.com/
Craignish Village Hall, ARDFERN
14th April 2026 @ 7.30pm
http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/craignish-village-hall
Skye Bridge Studios 123, KYLE OF LOCHALSH
16th April 2026 @ 7.30pm
https://www.skyebridgestudios123.com
An Lanntair, STORNOWAY
18th April, 2026 @ 8pm
https://lanntair.com/
Macphail Centre, ULLAPOOL
20th April 2026 @ 7pm
http://tickets.highlifehighland.com/
Memorial Hall, RESOLIS
21st April 2026 @ 7pm
resoliscommunityarts@gmail.com
Macrobert Arts Centre, STIRLING
25th April 2026 @ 7.30pm
https://www.macrobertartscentre.org
May 2026
Amble Parish Hall, NORTHUMBERLAND
1st May 2026 @ 7.30pm
https://www.highlightsnorth.co.uk/
Humshaugh Village Hall, NORTHUMBERLAND
2nd May 2026 @ 7.30pm
https://www.highlightsnorth.co.uk/
Arnside Educational Institute, CUMBRIA
3rd May 2026 @ 7.30pm
https://www.highlightsnorth.co.uk/
ARC Stockton Arts Centre
8th May 2026 @ 7pm
https://arconline.co.uk
Eastgate Theatre, PEEBLES
12th May 2026 @ 7pm
https://eastgatearts.com/
Lemon Tree, ABERDEEN
14th May 2026 @ 7pm
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
Mareel, LERWICK
16th May 2026 @ 7pm
https://www.shetlandarts.org/
Lyth Arts, WICK
19th May 2026 @ 7.30pm
https://lytharts.org.uk/
Eden Court, INVERNESS
21st May 2026 @ 7pm
https://eden-court.co.uk/
August 2026
Greenbelt Festival
27-30th August 2026
greenbelt.org.uk
Alys Williams (right) with a member of the audience in a performance of The Light House. Pic Anthony Robling
ENDS
