Jumpy transfers from the Royal Court to the Duke of York’s in London’s West End with known television star Tamsin Greig as the main box office draw. This play, about a fifty year old mother in crisis as she sees her fifteen year old daughter become sexually active, comments on the problems for both generations. The children become adult earlier and earlier and the mother finds herself in an economically and maritally precarious situation. Bel Powley once more terrifies the men who are baffled by extreme behaviour of the feisty and assertive teenager. Tamsin Greig is the mother who doesn’t know what to do.

The only cast change is that Amanda Root takes over from Sarah Woodward as Josh’s mother Bea, who leaps to the defence of her son. None of de Angelis’ characters are really likeable, some are ridiculous or embarrassing like Doon Mackichan victim of her own fading sexuality who develops a terrible burlesque routine, or players like Joshua’s actor father Roland but many of the playwright’s lines are funny, wry and candid observations on modern family predicaments.

Jumpy isn’t an important play but as social comedy it does tap into the insecurity of those born in the early 1960s and has outstanding performances from Tamsin Greig and Bel Powley and mother and daughter protagonists. There is a lovely twist in the final act as Tilly takes a once loved soft toy off to university and makes her mother feel sentimental for the child that was, only for this plotline to contort and contort again.

Current Production Notes
>Cast and creatives as below except for Amanda Root replacing Sarah Woodward
Box Office: 0844 871 7615 
Booking at the Duke of York’s to 3rd November 2012 
Originally reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 20th April 2010 performance at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS (Tube: Sloane Square) 
Re-reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 28th August 2012 performance at the Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4BG (Tube: Leicester Square, Charing Cross)