The Back Room at The Star Inn until 13th April 2019
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
4****
Writer Suzanna Walters takes a gritty subject and provides a unique perspective. She cleverly uses a fourth person as the head voice of anorexia that the players can all hear.
Walters plays Anorexic Voice herself, with a malevolent, dominating presence. The malicious intent was palpable and oozed from the stage. She has an iron grip on the mental and emotional well-being of the characters.
The battle each character has to fight the Anorexic Voice and regain control of their lives, is very clear in this well written piece. Stephanie Lodge (Kate) is sincere in her delivery, particularly as the recovered victim and counsellor. Claire Howes (Libby) presented an innocence that resonates in ourselves either as young people, in our children or grandchildren. Not everyone thinks of young men having Anorexia, giving Cameron McCormack (Jonathan) an extra responsibility to give a different perspective to this mental illness. A challenge which he rises to admirably.
Director Sally McCormack allows the dialogue with Anorexic Voice (Walters) to be clearly heard, strategically placing Her in each scene to reflect the gradually reducing dominance she holds over her victims.
This piece gets the message across loud and clear that Anorexia is a mental illness that if untreated can potentially kill. There are still many misunderstandings about Anorexia, some shown here through the family dinner table and school playground scenes. Walters has made sure that the love and support offered by friends and family is portrayed as vital in the victims fight for recovery. Most importantly that each character had to want to recover, to find something to live for.
Education through drama is a powerful tool that Walters and McCormack have used skilfully here.
Part of the Guildford Fringe Week