A very moving piece on a very difficult subject to talk about
Reviewed at Holden Street Theatres on 6 March 2019
Presented by Lion House Theatre, Joanne Hartstone and Holden Street Theatres
The venue is small and intimate which aids with the storytelling, makes it personal. The subject matter is difficult to broach with people you know and makes the teller exposed when talking to strangers. Most of us have come into touch with breast cancer through family and friends; we feel awkward when confronted with the stories, mostly because we don’t know how to react.
Casey Jay Andrews relates the stories of four women known to her: Emma Cairns her high school drama teacher, Auriole Wells her childhood singing teacher and two relatives. As is often true, this insidious disease runs in families and both her grandmother Dorothy (Dot) Washer and Casey’s aunt Karen Baker are affected. The play contains interviews with Emma and family photos of all the women. It deals with the anger, the grief, the hopelessness and the hope.
This is a glimpse into their world: how they cope, how they find joy and make memories for those they leave behind. The quotes from Gelett Burgess’ book, often voiced by Michael Cochrane, on etiquette where he describes the ‘educated heart’, the ability to manifest kindness in whatever form is apt in any given circumstance. How do we use instinct to help when we can’t see how too.
This is a moving gentle show with a lot of heart of its own, well presented, but you may need tissues.
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Venue: The Manse, Holden Street Theatres
Season: 6 – 16 March 2019
Duration: 40 min
Tickets: $18 -$23
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