Calling all StageSider’s, please take your seat. The doctor will see you now, as the review of Who Cares?, performed by the Guildford School of Acting students, is about to begin.
Trigger Warning
This piece of theatre discusses some serious issues such as mental health and physical well being. Please click off this site if you are emotionally triggered by such discussions. Anyone reading past this point has chosen to do so.
This performance of Who Cares? was part of the GSA spring performance programme. It was performed, virtually, on the 13th of May 2021. The piece was directed by Dominic Rouse with Rose Ryan as the Movement Director.
Who Cares? Is a “documentary theatre scripted by verbatim comments from health professionals, patients, whistle-blowers and politicians, Who Cares looks at the inner workings of the NHS and considers the past, present and possible future of the institution.” (Found on the GSA website, here)
This performance is packed full of smooth transitions and well acted scenes. The content is eye opening, eye-catching and the verbatim lines are attention grabbing. There are moments of speech which take the audience through a rollercoaster of pace, intensity and action. From perfectly slow moving monologues to almost comic dialogue, scenes full of hustle and bustle to scenes with an almost empty stage. The director struck a balance in the ambience of the piece, and found that happy medium between busy and isolated.
This piece was thoroughly interesting, really intense but beautifully done. The musical accompaniment is done in a way not to distract, but to provide transitional relief. This, in this piece, is necessary in my opinion. With the heavy hitting content and the repeated mentions of mental health issues and other potentially triggering subjects, this brief moment of release is used in the best moments.
Sophie Harrison’s portrayal of Marjorie is well rounded and as balanced as the piece, simply beautiful. From her opening lines to her final bow, Harrison creates an emotional atmosphere throughout the whole piece, and is not overbearing. Her ability to portray a strong willed character who is independent and focused, and then slip into the vulnerable past self of that same character, is done so in a way that doesn’t remove or erase either aspect of the character. Both elements of the character are balanced and well presented.
Lauren Hadley’s physicality during her monologue about the day to day life of a GP is so polished and well choreographed. The movement is quite hypnotizing and her ability to maintain a character whilst enacting this physicality allows the audience to remain engaged. In this same scene, Hadley is able to engage with the audience whilst also retaining the 4th wall.
The physicality is something that remains throughout the piece. As an audience member, some movements appeared to be associated with words and some seemed random. The more the piece progressed, the less associated those movements became.
The Review!
Overall I would say this piece is an interesting and a much needed piece of theatre for the time we are in. This piece needs to be seen and understood for what it really is.
I would give this piece, 4 stars out of 5. This piece is beautifully done, the acting across the board is well performed and the design is detailed and yet not overpowering. The choreography is beautiful and well composed, and the music is done well. Well done to the students of GSA.
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