Under blue lights, and to the sound of falling rain, a lone figure stares through a window. A second person appears on stage, bouncing a ball, enthusiastically introducing themselves to individual members of the audience. The show hasn’t technically begun, but everyone present is already immersed in the story world.

When the hordes are seated and the lights have been dimmed, a cat awakens to address the audience directly. This show-stealing feline tells the tale of two friends living on top of a hill where it never stops raining. This framing story mirrors the main plot of the play, in which almost-ten-year-old Evie wants the rain to stop so her friends can come to her birthday party.

Alex (of the bouncing ball) meets Evie (of the longing window gaze) meet for the first time, and are thrown into an adventure together almost immediately. These two characters are complementary rather than opposite, but don’t see eye to eye right away.

Rain-reluctant Evie and extraverted Alex must venture through a shadow tunnel to find out who controls the weather, in an attempt to stop the rain. Green lighting and echoey drips create the perfect environment for shadow tunnel creatures, whose appearance is adorable more than terrifying. Nonetheless, Alex overcomes fears whilst facing thunder, lightning, and solitude, while Evie gains a brand new perspective on the rain. Together, Alex, Evie, and a cynical cat solve problems and find friendships, new and old, in a rain-drenched world.

Expressive performances bring the story to life with each actor embodying key aspects of their characters. Childlike enthusiasm, petulance, disappointment, and excitement are conveyed through nuanced performances, and supported by fantastic makeup and wardrobe. Effectively selected music, sound effects and lighting combine with nuanced acting, clever set design, and an uplifting script to create a charming narrative about opening lines of communication, dispelling the fear of rejection, and looking inside to find deeper truths.

Alex and Evie and the Forever Falling Rain is, above all, a heartwarming tale of friendship, courage, and the unconventional taming of life’s storms. Performed to a packed audience, this genuinely humorous show culminates in unity, teamwork and (you guessed it) the figurative power of friendship.

Don’t sit in the first three rows if you don’t like getting wet.