Post by david on Oct 17, 2018 21:27:13 GMT
Having watched this at today’s matinee performance, all I can say is get a ticket. Although putting the subject matter of dementia in the elderly on stage maybe isn’t everybody’s idea of a fun time at the theatre, from what I have just watched, it was done both in a respectful way and a realistic portrayal both from the sufferer as well as the emotional and physical impact on the immediate family in caring from them.
Elaine May’s portrayal as the lady who has the dementia is totally mesmerising and she alone is worth the ticket price. Her gradual decline over the 2hrs is done with plenty of humour but is heartbreaking to watch and certainly by the end I had a tear in my eye.
For the other cast, they gave totally believable performances as the family members who have to come to terms and deal with the grans condition.
I liked the use of the son as part narrator to fill in the gaps during the play, and particularly his monologue at the end which was certainly powerful stuff.
Overall, I think anybody who has had or currently has family members suffering from dementia, I think will be able to relate to what is portrayed on stage. Certainly, after the show had finished, there where a couple of comments from audience members who had had similar experiences.
A fantastic piece of writing and some great performances on stage, though Elaine May steals every scene she is in (and she isn’t off stage that much over the entire 2hrs). Definitely worth watching. 4*
Elaine May’s portrayal as the lady who has the dementia is totally mesmerising and she alone is worth the ticket price. Her gradual decline over the 2hrs is done with plenty of humour but is heartbreaking to watch and certainly by the end I had a tear in my eye.
For the other cast, they gave totally believable performances as the family members who have to come to terms and deal with the grans condition.
I liked the use of the son as part narrator to fill in the gaps during the play, and particularly his monologue at the end which was certainly powerful stuff.
Overall, I think anybody who has had or currently has family members suffering from dementia, I think will be able to relate to what is portrayed on stage. Certainly, after the show had finished, there where a couple of comments from audience members who had had similar experiences.
A fantastic piece of writing and some great performances on stage, though Elaine May steals every scene she is in (and she isn’t off stage that much over the entire 2hrs). Definitely worth watching. 4*