So, a story about cancer. A topic and illness infamously known as a big damper on pretty much everything. How does one convey a story with a sense of positivity, of movement, of life still continuing through this unpredictable time?
Enter Alain Beek, Actor and Director with Essence Productions whose story was told through Jack and Millie. And what a story it was!
Beek was joined on stage by Phil Cameron-Smith (who played Jack) and Ross Daniels (who played every other character) in this heart-touching story. Truly a loaded theatre cast!
Beek not only shared this story, but when she was on stage, I felt every one of her emotions, her eyerolls and her smiles. Beek is an inspiring story teller and the depth of her character was highly tangible to each audience member. She helped me understand this story in ways that just reading a script would not. Beeks’ character Millie felt wonderfully lived in, like a familiar coat you put on or a close friend to confide in. And that just helped to draw me in even more.
Cameron-Smith is Jack in this play and represents all the thoughts that Millie has about cancer. Some do hit home hard, but I was surprised to see how many of these thoughts were also comedic. Cameron-Smith had me laughing a lot and helped to put a more wholesome and positive spin on what should be quite a downcast story. He was funny, deadpan and at times unapologetic in his views which made for all the more riotous viewing! I would happily see a play all about Jack and his thoughts and feelings.
And filling in every other character we have Ross Daniels, and my, what stage presence! It was so easy to watch Daniels as he went between characters, especially in the Zoom scene (trust me, watch it and laugh a lot, because I have never seen anything more relatable). Daniels had this incredible focus to him, even off stage, and managed to play characters ranging from cold and informative to a supportive friend and buddy. And each one of these characters was so believable! Daniels also had these unique little movements or actions he would do to get into each character which was fascinating to observe.
As an audience member, I really enjoyed some of the choices that were made by the Director Nigel Sutton, especially props wise! The stage was only set with 2 big white boxes which were used in such simple ways and yet transported me to a restaurant or the park seamlessly. The costming for this play was also very simple, just plain whites for each character. And I think this all needed to be understated to let the story shine through which was more than successfully achieved.
I did also want to commend the creative uses of sound effects, especially the ring tones for each character that gave such a unique insight into that character. The assumptions were handed to the audience with very little to go off and my imagination thoroughly enjoyed filling in the blanks. And other members of the audience afterwards expressed similar thoughts to me – this was a truly enjoyable experience.
So, in conclusion, please see this play if you can! This is a funny story full of life’s ups and downs, but left me feeling positive. It is said in the program of this show that this script is deeply loved by those who feature in it, and even as an audience member I was able to feel this. This was not a sad story, just an eventful one filled with delicious morsels of laughter to help you on the way. And one (I can confidently say) I would happily see again!
For further information about Essence Theatre Productions, please follow: https://www.essencetheatre.productions/
