HOME THEATRE, MANCHESTER – UNTIL 13TH MAY 2023
REVIEWED BY ZOE BROWN
5*****
If You Fall – An exploration of how we care for people at the end of their lives. Told through the lens of those who are nearing the end themselves, their loved ones who are also suffering and those upon which the heavy burden of daily care often falls, the over-worked, under-staffed men and women of the care system.
Originally conceived by Nir Paldi , researched and developed using testimony from a number of contributors such as Bristol Older Peoples Forum as well as the lived experiences of the cast and company, Ad Infinitum have woven together a series of stories about those coming to the end of life and placed them all within one care home to allow seamless transition between them.
The cast are all superb, the timing and flow between characters is perfectly executed allowing us to meet a plethora of people; from the elderly who have fallen at home, those men and women facing dementia, lonely widows, desperate family members, and those who have come to this country to work whilst their own families are thousands of miles away needing support themselves.
The production includes horror and humanity, pain and love, despair and relief. They even manage to find humour in moments of grief. These themes are emotive, topical and in dire need of attention. If there were ever a call to action, this is it. This is what theatre is for, to move you, to make you question ‘how can we make the system in our country better?’
There were people in the audience visibly shaken and crying, perhaps reminded of a loved one, or a deeply uncomfortable experience, or simply moved by the care and attention this fine ensemble and collective company brought to the piece.
This show is flawless from the beautiful chorography steered by movement director, Deb Pugh, the haunting rhythmic harmonies composed Jack Drewry, to the exquisite performances of the ensemble cast, Clive Duncan, Elisabeth Gunawan, Jabari Ngozi, Kirris Riviere, Heather Williams, Robin Paley Yorke.
Helena Middleton, who directs this production and Ad Infinitum should be proud of what they have achieved.