The
British Theatre Guide
Three women
in clinical white enter the stage with their hair
combed forward over their faces. While the
character in the centre may be called Joy ('as in
happiness', she explains) these three women have
been brought to this place through suffering. Set
in the 1950s inside the hair salon of a psychiatric
institute, the women are handed pills they have no
choice but to swallow and regimented to bed by loud
bells. As the piece unfolds we hear of Joy's
extra-marital affair with a black American GI and
Mary's childhood of abuse by her piano teacher.
The programme tells us that, under the 1913 Mental Deficiency Act, a woman deemed to have an irremediable 'moral deficiency' coupled with a 'criminal or vicious propensity' could, with the signature of two GPs (not psychiatrists) and a relative, be 'confined indefinitely'. And in situations where women posed a social embarrassment this legislation was conveniently manipulated. Subsequently these women have spent their entire adulthood deemed mentally unhealthy and locked away.
RedCape Theatre paint a haunting picture of these vulnerable women, bathed by unforgiving nurses with rough hands, 'shhh-d' by their fellow inmates when their story gets too painful and questioned by dispassionate doctors who really don't want to listen. Told with beauty and with poignancy, even the lighting creates a lasting impression. However be warned that the pieces performed downstage and on the floor are increasingly difficult to see due to the audience raking and therefore end up being for the viewing pleasure of the front two rows only. This is a fascinating piece with perfect performers but queue early and sit at the front if you wish to see the whole thing.
By Cecily Boys, 24th August 2008
The programme tells us that, under the 1913 Mental Deficiency Act, a woman deemed to have an irremediable 'moral deficiency' coupled with a 'criminal or vicious propensity' could, with the signature of two GPs (not psychiatrists) and a relative, be 'confined indefinitely'. And in situations where women posed a social embarrassment this legislation was conveniently manipulated. Subsequently these women have spent their entire adulthood deemed mentally unhealthy and locked away.
RedCape Theatre paint a haunting picture of these vulnerable women, bathed by unforgiving nurses with rough hands, 'shhh-d' by their fellow inmates when their story gets too painful and questioned by dispassionate doctors who really don't want to listen. Told with beauty and with poignancy, even the lighting creates a lasting impression. However be warned that the pieces performed downstage and on the floor are increasingly difficult to see due to the audience raking and therefore end up being for the viewing pleasure of the front two rows only. This is a fascinating piece with perfect performers but queue early and sit at the front if you wish to see the whole thing.
By Cecily Boys, 24th August 2008