TAKING CARE OF BABY: Birmingham till 19 May then to Hampstead Theatre, London

TAKING CARE OF BABY: Dennis Kelly
Birmingham Rep till 19 May. then to Hampstead Theatre, London
Birmingham Tickets 0121 236 4455
Runs: 2h 50m, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 9 May 2007
(Play published by Oberon Modern Plays: link to Amazon follows the review)

Theatre forensics - fascinating

I love plays that discuss the nature of truth. It seems to me there’s an inbuilt irony that something that’s a complete fabrication (aka lie) can discuss truth. And if things are going well, come up with some truth (in one form or another.) Kelly, in his play, even tells us his play is the truth (which is a lie) but as he gradually reveals his play to be a lie, he reveals, in parallel, truths. Confused? Good. Because if you watch the play, you won’t be – so there’s your answer. (And this is true.)

Kelly’s play is constructed around Donna, daughter of an aspiring politician, Lynn. Donna has apparently murdered her two small children. Dr Millard has identified a syndrome (the Leeman-Keatley syndrome) which could explain Donna’s action – and actions of similar mothers. The playwright attempts to identify the truth behind Donna’s action, the existence or not of Leeman-Keatley Sydrome, and the honesty or hypocrisy of Lynn’s passion for politics. The Playwright is a heard presence in the play – at one and the same time writer, interrogator, psychologist, meddling voyeur. Do I detect the influence of Big Brother here? – Channel 4 not 1984.

The play is multilayered, but the writing is clear – totally clear. We also have in this strong production a first-class team of actors. Among these Abigail Davies gives an unbearably real portrayal of the tortured Donna, and Ellie Haddington is dangerously endearing and engaging as her mother, Lynn.

Anthony Clark directs the tricky script with confidence and a great eye for detail and dynamic. The whole takes place in Patrick Connellan’s minimal and effective settings that give just enough hint of the technology through which we judge much of what we perceive as truth today.

Donna McAuliffe: Abigail Davies
Lynn Barrie: Ellie Haddington
Mrs Millard / Woman/ Waitress: Zoe Aldrich
Dr Millard / Old Man: Christopher Ravenscroft
Martin McAuliffe / Reporter / Man: Nick Sidi
Jim / Brian: Michael Bertenshaw

Director: Anthony Clark
Design: Patrick Connellan
Lighting Design: James Farncombe
Sound Design: Dan Hoole
Video Design: Clive Meldrum
Assistant Director: Noah Birksted-Breen

To buy the play through Amazon, here’s the link . . .

2007-05-09 15:54:17