Curve Theatre, Leicester – until 19 July 2025
Reviewed by Leanne W
4****
This brand-new musical explores the relationships of three generations of women and their coming back together after a period of separation. Elaine (Lisa Maxwell is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and moves in with her daughter Beverley (Rebecca Trehearn) and husband Rick (Nuno Queimado). As the family are starting to adjust Beverly’s daughter Emma (Katie Cailean) – a non-speaking autistic teenager with synaesthesia – also unexpectedly moves in under tragic circumstance. This is a story of confronting the past in order to create a future for all of the family.
The set for this production (Andrzej Goulding) is fabulous, a neutrally coloured living room and kitchen space which, by way of projections, explores Emma’s colourful world. The use of this was done very well, without the need to share a picture to bring a scene to life (a pet hate of mine). Additionally, the moving of the staging created areas simply and effectively to become areas outside of the home. Dotted around are blank canvases which are used effectively as the show progresses.
Katie Cailean was able to capture the neuro-diverse and non-verbal character very authentically and seamlessly slipped to her songs where she gave us a glimpse of Emma inside her mind. I enjoyed that the role of Elaine was played to be fun and vibrant aging woman, and not as a doddery old lady as it might have been. Lisa Maxwell capturing the spirit of the woman and her frustration at her deteriorating in her condition. Rebecca Trehearn played well the role of Beverly, caught in the middle, however with this only being a single act musical she was unable to fully develop the role as the story moved too quick for us to see the dept of her journey to this point in time. Husband Rick, played by Nuno Queimado, who finds his home filling up around him is the bringer of some nice moments of comic relief. Supported by young and fun Hugo Rolland as Tyler and homely social worker Alicia, Tania Mathurin.
The music however is what lets this musical down, it would work better as a play. The music wasn’t memorable and, other than providing Emma with her platform to speak and invite us into her silent world, adds little to the story.
The story moves quickly and is, for the most part, believable, however it could benefit from some further development. In particular, developing the role of Beverley, allowing us to empathise with the character more. A few moments where some additional research into the conditions of the characters may also benefit the story some more.
In all, I did enjoy the show. I don’t think it will make any great waves, but it was a pleasant story with excellent visuals and a nice message behind it.