Live streamed from Applecart Arts – 15 to 17 February 2021 – book via https://applecartarts.com/
3***
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
Lorna Wells’ semi-autobiographical play about living with an invisible chronic illness (ICI) is both a sobering reminder of the lack of understanding of these conditions and an uplifting celebration of the human spirit.
Over 4 emotional days, Liberty Jones (Corinne Walker) waits for, receives and deals with the aftermath of the long-awaited diagnosis of her illness. Amongst the dramas of her relationships with her mother Alberta and boyfriend Preston, the one constant comfort to Liberty is Bob – her cello. But as the effects of her symptoms get worse, she is losing her ability to play and has had to give up her life as principal cellist in a prestigious orchestra.
Wells’ account of the years of increasingly debilitating symptoms, and their effects on Liberty’s life and relationships, and the exploration of Alberta’s and Preston’s feelings and fears about Liberty’s future are searingly honest. Wells and director Aisling Gallagher manage to squeeze every single factor that Liberty must struggle against in one scene where Liberty meets the consultant for her diagnosis and must endure her smiling casual racism. Her mother’s attitude and their relationship are finally explained after subtle hints throughout the play, and we leave Liberty knowing that her illness will never be cured, but with hope for her future.
Meera Priyanka Raja plays the cello onstage demonstrating exactly what Liberty is losing, and Corinne Walker portrays each character brilliantly with a wonderful eye for detail, keeping you glued to the screen throughout. Alberta seems a little caricatured and OTT at first, but as the play progresses, you begin to understand that she is also pretending to be well and overcompensating. Transitions between characters are mostly smooth and enjoyable, and there is a lovely vocal introduction to each day. The inclusion of quotes from ICI sufferers about their daily struggles and the obstacles they face is a bittersweet touch, echoing and expanding the words of the play’s characters.
Illusions of Liberty darkly funny and moving story reminds us that society hasn’t really moved on from the days of “Yuppie flu” in our understanding and sympathy for those with invisible illnesses. With a percentage of proceeds being divided between ME Association, Lupus UK and Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, this heartfelt production is well worth a look.