Harmony Lost: The Tragic Tale of the Webb Sisters

In Jez Butterworth's captivating new play, "The Hills of California," four girls who were once trained to sing close harmony find themselves as embittered adults, their once-harmonious lives now discordant and dissonant. The play takes the audience on a poignant journey through the lives of the Webb sisters, exploring the devastating impact of time and the consoling power of music.

Uncovering the Haunting Melodies of the Webb Sisters' Past

The Seaview Luxury Guesthouse: A Crumbling Backdrop to Family Turmoil

The play opens with the crashing of waves on the beaches of Blackpool and the tinkling of a tinny piano being tuned, setting the stage for the Webb sisters' reunion at the Seaview Luxury Guesthouse. This rundown resort, which is neither luxurious nor within sight of the sea, serves as the backdrop for the family's unfolding drama. As their mother, Veronica, who has run the guesthouse for decades, lies dying upstairs, the sisters are forced to confront their past and the deep-seated tensions that have driven them apart.

Jillian: The Youngest, Trapped in the Past

Jillian, the youngest of the Webb sisters, has failed to thrive. A 32-year-old virgin who still lives at home, Jillian is a nervous chatter who secretly smokes, unable to break free from the confines of her childhood. In contrast, her sisters have all fled Blackpool, seeking to escape the shadows of their past. Ruby and Gloria have found unhappy marriages elsewhere, while Joan, the oldest, has pursued a dream of fame in California, never returning home since she left at the age of 15.

Rewinding to 1955: The Webb Sisters as Teenagers

As the play progresses, Butterworth takes the audience back in time to 1955, when the Webb sisters were teenagers and Veronica was a formidable presence in their lives. This shift in perspective allows the audience to witness the sisters' formative years, when they were trained to sing close harmony, their voices blending in perfect unison. However, the harmony that once defined their relationship has since been shattered, leaving the sisters as acrimonious adults.

The Allure of the California Dream

Joan's pursuit of fame in California has become a central point of contention among the sisters. While Jillian believes that Joan will return home, the others are skeptical, questioning whether Joan has truly achieved her dream or if she has simply fled the confines of Blackpool. This tension highlights the divergent paths the sisters have taken, each grappling with the weight of their shared past and the allure of a different future.

The Consoling Power of Music

Throughout the play, the audience is treated to a delightful array of classic songs, including "Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy," "It Never Entered My Mind," "When I Fall in Love," and "Dream a Little Dream of Me." These musical interludes serve as a counterpoint to the family's turmoil, offering a glimpse of the harmony and joy that once defined the Webb sisters' lives. The play's exploration of the consoling power of music underscores the profound impact that time and circumstance can have on even the most tightly-knit of families.As the Webb sisters confront their past and the unraveling of their once-harmonious lives, "The Hills of California" offers a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience. Jez Butterworth's masterful storytelling and the captivating performances of the cast create a theatrical experience that is both deeply moving and thoroughly entertaining.