Review of Justine Stops Oil

Lehla Eldridge is Justine

Justine Stops Oil is an ambitious piece that wants to explore the collision of ordinary life and climate crisis, but its execution often undercuts its own impact. Lehla Eldridge gives a committed performance as Justine, a middle-aged woman navigating work, marriage, and the pull toward activism. Unfortunately, the production leans too heavily on narration and descriptive detail, resulting in a show that feels more like a carefully delivered presentation than a fully realised piece of theatre.

Eldridge’s performance is solid in places, her Justine is likeable, occasionally funny, and relatable. She captures the frustrations of a life half-lived, and her growing interest in activism is, in parts, believable. However, the delivery remains largely on one level, without the emotional peaks and contrasts that would make her journey truly compelling.

The script contributes to this flatness. Much time is spent explaining simple actions — the sound of a door, a kettle boiling — which suggests the production does not trust the audience to fill in the gaps. These moments slow the pace, diluting the drama and draining tension from scenes that should have carried more weight.

Key storylines are introduced but left underdeveloped. Justine’s relationship with activist Kate McIntyre promises emotional depth, but the narrative fizzles rather than escalates.

Staging is minimal, which in theory should sharpen the focus on character and language, but in practice places even more weight on Eldridge’s delivery. Without greater variety in tone, movement, or dramatic contrast, the performance risks feeling static.

There is intelligence and heart in Justine Stops Oil, and its themes remain urgent and worth exploring. But the production hesitates to take risks, preferring to guide the audience carefully through each beat rather than trusting them to make leaps. The result is a polite, well-meaning show that lacks the dramatic punch its subject matter demands.

Written by Louis Catliff