In our latest interview, Des Fleurs’ author Gabrielle Silvestre talks about writing queer characters as a method for queer actors to raised join, one thing she says she was unable to do correctly when taking part in straight roles at drama college. It’s a reasonably telling and attention-grabbing perception into the place this play comes from and helps in including an extra layer of that means to what proves to be a well-crafted new play. Des Fleurs takes place within the backyard of the household dwelling. Present day Judy (Harriet Whitbread) is struggling to return to phrases together with her household’s determination to maneuver her…
Rating
Excellent
This easy but considerate story is nicely introduced because it tackles its themes of queerness and dementia.
In our latest interview, Des Fleurs’ author Gabrielle Silvestre talks about writing queer characters as a method for queer actors to raised join, one thing she says she was unable to do correctly when taking part in straight roles at drama college. It’s a reasonably telling and attention-grabbing perception into the place this play comes from and helps in including an extra layer of that means to what proves to be a well-crafted new play.
Des Fleurs takes place within the backyard of the household dwelling. Present day Judy (Harriet Whitbread) is struggling to return to phrases together with her household’s determination to maneuver her to a care dwelling. Her kids (Naomi Hyatt-Golding and Nadav Burstein) are anxious she will be able to now not cope alone because the loss of life of her husband, and it’s made worse by the clear indicators of her early levels of dementia. This side is fantastically portrayed with out ever needing to be immediately spelled out. And while the current is going on round her, Judy’s reminiscences of her youthful life (Sophie Macdonald) come flooding again, which for the briefest of instances included Georgia (Libby Boyd), the girl she really cherished and but might by no means absolutely be with. As present-day Judy watches her youthful self and Georgia within the backyard we study of their secret union and why it might by no means be absolutely realised.
Much credit score should go to Whitbread because the older Judy, torn between the current and the previous; the way in which she glazes over as these comfortable reminiscences come flooding again is nearly heart-breaking. Yet her love story is rarely allowed to have its comfortable ever after, as she feels unable to depart her husband for concern of the scandal it might trigger and the danger to her household. It’s straightforward to overlook that such a factor as two ladies elevating kids collectively would have been seen as so mistaken not that way back!
There’s a lot to admire in how the 2 timelines are performed out in the identical house. The route, additionally by Silvestre, permits each to exist aspect by aspect with out ever feeling as if they could journey over one another. Good use of the stage and house in entrance of it signifies that even with all seven-cast current at instances it doesn’t really feel crowded.
There is, although, nonetheless some work wanted to take this play to the subsequent stage. Even figuring out upfront concerning the twin timelines, I used to be initially left confused by who was who: it took a scene to attach that we had been seeing the previous by Judy’s reminiscences. This possibly must be higher signposted or it dangers dropping a few of the viewers earlier than issues have even began. And while the story is fantastically scripted, the ending feels just a bit rushed – the handy announcement of a letter that Judy by no means bought to see feels just a little contrived. However, the closing second does add to the heartbreak of that unfulfilled love.
There is a stunning old style really feel to Des Fleurs, in each look and elegance. Yet on the identical time the writing nonetheless manages to really feel fashionable because it explores dementia and queerness, themes that maybe wouldn’t have been so simply addressed solely a era in the past. It’s additionally reasonably good to see extra of a set than many exhibits staged at The Space. It’s superb how just a little greenery, a number of plant pots and a few creativity can flip that stage into a stunning backyard.
Des Fleurs is one other success for this wonderful venue. There are small flaws however nothing that may’t get ironed out ought to the play return. But even now, it should actually be a play that many individuals will hook up with, for each its queer love story and its portrayal of somebody slowly succumbing to the horrible curse of dementia.
Written and directed by: Gabrielle Silvestre
Produced by: Fury Entertainment
Note: This efficiency was watched by way of The Space’s On-demand service. The present has accomplished its present run, however is avaialble on to look at on-line till 12 November 2022. Further info right here.