REVIEWS REVIEWS
This is a time of trying to put things right, which is leading to an age when that can be brought about with tenacity. This play, based on fact, shows one area that needed to be put right; NvCJD (New variant Creuzfeld Jacob Disease) a form of BSE more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. We see those who tried and those who opposed. The whole thing is mixed with jokes that one feels unable to laugh at because of the subject matter.
Visually, in front of the public, is the best way to bring awareness and this can be done by television or the theatre. At West Yorkshire in Leeds we have been fortunate to see reality brought to life by a gifted playwright Rachael McGill with the help of those involved in the facts that brought The Lemon Princess about. We shall see many more plays being evangelistic to their cause in order to bring the facts to everyone's notice.
This is a nicely crafted price of writing that flows without pause as the audience are taken through a Leeds family's tragedy. A small time comedian, whose daughter singing in the pubs and clubs where he works, suddenly loses co-odination and is ridiculed by all until the hairdresser girlfriend takes her seriously enough to go to the doctor. What follows is scientists fighting the government for research money that never arrives because the minister says that the problem does not exist. Elaine Glover, Nigel Hastings, Ian Reddington, Samantha Robinson and Lesley Vickerage are the actors who take us through this journey, under the direction of Ruth Carney, who with Stephen Forber started the seeds of this play with other people's help. The sets designed by David Farley work smoothly and provide what is needed for the quick changes that barely give the actors time to change clothes.
This is a must see play that will make you think if you are misled by the title, the meaning of which will become obvious as the play progresses. It will disturb you how politics get involved with the needs, at the expense of the populace and will make you wonder what use they are except to further the aspirations of those involved. © BA
“The Lemon Princess” is in Leeds on the 4th February to the 5th March, 2005. Council car parking charge £1 from 5.30pm.
   |