one4review | On 14, Aug 2026

On an Uncharacteristically boiling hot afternoon in Edinburgh, I was reluctant to step into the small busy portacabin, I have never been so glad to go against my instincts.

The setting was the living room of Dr Ruths New York apartment which she was packing up for a move.

As she packed up each item, we were treated to a memory of the past relating to each item whilst the telephone intermittently interrupted us with calls from removal men, Dr Ruths family, her communications assistant and even the removal man’s mother.

The audience were guests in her home as we heard completely heart wrenching stories of 10-year-old German Jewish Ruth, being packed off to Switzerland by train in 1938, after her father had been sent to a work camp leaving behind her mother and grandmother, she then spent time in Palestine, Jerusalem and France before making her way to and settling in New York.

The stories of a young girl alone in the midst of war, and later a young woman venturing to strange countries and navigating first relationships were incredibly engaging and poignant.

Jones relationship with her 3rd husband, the love of her life was was the ultimate blueprint. You could feel both the love she had for him and the raw grief at his passing, we later heard of her career into Sex Education and her hugely risqué funny tales from her radio phone in days.

The standout performance from Anne O’Sullivan was such, that at times, I was so mesmerised that I actually forgot I was reviewing and I truly forgot this was an acting performance and felt convinced I was listening to Dr Ruth. Sullivan spoke to us for an hour in a German, Jewish American accent (with a hint of French) for an hour and did not miss a beat. An incredible tribute of an incredible woman.

*****
Reviewed by Louise Heathcote

Assembly at St Andrews Square

16:55 (1 hour)

Until 30th August (not 17th)