Rondo Theatre, 9th June 2023
The song playing as I enter the auditorium is ‘We are Family’ and it’s the perfect overture for this tale of three generations of women plus their good-as-family friend. We start in a night club, all sequinned dresses and loud music – it’s a chance for each cast member to play a mini cameo – they’ve all got a story about being hassled by that drunk guy at the party.
"great dollops of inter-generational fondness, foibles and frustrations."
The simple set has a sofa, two Ercol-style armchairs and, right in the middle, an upright easy chair draped in a crochet blanket. The woman who sits in that chair is the lynchpin of the family and the fulcrum of the story. Gran Barbara is the matriarch and about to celebrate her 92nd birthday. Suzy Howlett plays her well – she is brave, bold and cheeky as well as nostalgic and a little frail. As time passes the family move and circle from chair to chair, place to place, past to present, but Barbara remains at the centre of it all.
This is an all-female cast in a women-led production by the Really Truly Theatre Company. They interact beautifully; mum, sisters, friend and nieces successfully play sideways looks and awkward glances, with great dollops of inter-generational fondness, foibles and frustrations. Sisters Laura (Juanita Carney) and Michelle (Tracey Ashford) are a believable pair who banter, bicker and make up in a moment. One takes on too much then has a moan, the other’s a bit of a laid-back hippy, but ultimately they have each other’s backs. Grand-daughter Paige (Tabitha Lamb) is the youngest and brings the sulky eye-rolling and snarky wit of an adolescent.
With clever use of lighting, costume change and creative furniture shifting we move from night club to front room, present to past. I enjoyed watching the shadowy transitions between scenes, the well-choreographed movements in the half-light, a fascinating dance. We enjoy some physical jokes throughout as well as some great one-liners.
"a moving moment that sums up this warm, feel-good show"
The approaching birthday celebrations prompt a series of reminiscences from Barbara which reveal a family secret that impacts on them all, and highlights issues that have faced, and continue to face, many women. The friendship between daughter Sophie (Daisy Mercedes) and best friend Naomi (Rosie Allerhand) is strong despite the fallings out – they are allies now and in the past, their connection stands the test of time.
The ending is a photo finish. The women line up holding hands, ready to face what comes next - together. It is a moving moment that sums up this warm, feel-good show.
★★★★
Celebrate Me, written by Polly Lamb, was presented by Really Truly Theatre at the Rondo theatre on the 9th June as part of Bath Fringe Festival.