A play to make you laugh and make you cry - 'Bea', at the wonderful Soho Theatre, London is a lively, gripping, brilliantly acted play.
Written and directed by Mick Gordon the play tackles the question - can we really understand and empahise with the feelings of others? - especially the case of Bea, a young, lively, lovely girl who is virtually bedridden by ME and wants to die. She asks her carer, Ray, and her mother to help her. The play challenges our morals and our humanity, without sliding into melancholy or sanctimoniosity.
Pippa Nixon is brilliant as Bea, exuding infectious energy one moment then pulling, no, wrenching at our heart strings the next. Such is the intimacy of the Soho Theatre that it was hard NOT to jump onto the stage and throw my arms around her just to make it all better.
Al Weaver brings welcome relief with his energetic portrayal of the Irish carer who is firm but fair and does what he can to bring light and fun into the life of Bea. His one man delivery of A Streetcar Named Desire is brilliant, and the effects of his theatrical extravaganza so cleverly lead to him performing an act that is chokingly moving and so very real.
Paula Wilcox is the perfect 3rd strand in the play - formidable at the start but turning into a character almost as colourful and emotional as the daughter she once had, and now has to decide whether to let her go. With lurching sadness I watched that final scene and was deeply moved by the bond between mother and daughter, and the careful, tender way that Ray hands over the final decision to them.
'Bea' will break your heart in places, but it will also make you think, laugh, sing and importantly, feel very good to be alive.
Bea is at the Soho Theatre until January 8th at 7.3pm. Runs for approx. 80 mins.
Tinx Newton Dec 10
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