★★★★

“a heart-warming story with an unexpected ending”

Three black walls, a black floor, a running machine and a giant exercise ball. One remarkable solo writer-performer. That’s what it takes to make one heck of a show at Reading Rep.

Harriet Madeley is an award-winning writer, actor, producer and co-director of the theatre company Crowded Room which ‘specialises in true stories that get people talking’. Mid-way through writing a new play about death – the subject no-one wants to talk about that we have all but airbrushed out of our lives – the wheel of fate took an unexpected turn. Madeley was diagnosed with a rare and chronic disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). The condition, which attacks the liver and bile ducts, affects around seven in every million in the UK. Life expectancy of sufferers can be as short as ten years and there is, as yet, no cure.

On stage Harriet Madeley becomes a ditsy journalist called Olive who must recruit interviewees for an article about terminal illness. When Olive finds herself similarly diagnosed, her own life unravels in a rapidly descending spiral of laugh out loud comic moments. She even wonders whether her own death could become her own best career break yet.

The show does not flag for a second as Madeley interacts with recordings and delivers a series of reflective monologues on her condition. As those around her struggle to accept her fate and she goes off at a very unexpected tangent, we get to know Olive’s fiancée, parents and friends in a heart-warming story with an unexpected ending.

With simple and effective video and lighting by Megan Lucas, sound by Bella Kear and some smart direction from Madelaine Moore, this thought provoking new play more than merits its Summerhall Lustrum Award for Unforgettable Theatre. It is a warm and life-enhancing version of the performer’s own terminal diagnosis story and deserves to run and run.

SOLSTICE at Battersea Arts Centre

★★★★

“Solstice may be a small show, but it has a large heart”

Wild Rumpus’ show Solstice, now running at the Battersea Arts Centre, is an easy winner if you are looking for a show for young children this holiday season. It’s just big enough in space and long enough in time for kids and their carers to enjoy a specially curated experience that brings the magic of the outdoors, indoors. There’s a light trail, storytelling, larger than life puppets, and activities designed to enchant the littlest audiences. Solstice isn’t just about the winter solstice, either. There’s a room in the show for every season, including a space where kids can gather to create their own intentions for “their next turn around the sun.”

Wild Rumpus is better known as an outdoors festival producer, where it has gathered an impressive reputation for creating immersive woodland events. Such events can last several days and include camping near the site, as well as getting involved in literature, music, dance, comedy, costumes and make up. Solstice indoors—and in a big city like London—loses some of Wild Rumpus’ original intent, which is to “provide family arts in the wild”. Solstice is so well designed and carefully thought out, however, that everyone will enjoy a brief trip to the world outdoors, even if it is inside. And Solstice is a timely reminder that the natural world is all around us if we know where, and how, to look.

Solstice is no mere light trail like so many others that are currently on offer around London. Each part of the experience merges seamlessly with the next, and there’s a story linking every space in the show. Solstice is about a quest to find and comfort the winter wolf who is missing his hibernating friends from the warmer seasons. The quest begins in spring, with a space filled with dragon sized eggs (some already cracked open!) and a beautiful larger than life sized, light filled dragonfly. Children are given activity sheets at the beginning of Solstice to draw, count, classify and create as they move through the rooms. I don’t want to spoil the surprises that follow meeting the dragonfly, except to say that the skills of storyteller George are a good preparation for the most magical encounter of them all—meeting the winter wolf. If parents are concerned that any of these experiences may be too overwhelming, kids can step out and take a break at any time. Every performance is relaxed, and the Battersea Arts Centre has also put aside a chill out space if needed.

Solstice may be a small show, but it has a large heart, perfectly sized to introduce kids to the world outdoors. Wild Rumpus and the Battersea Arts Centre have teamed up to create a lovely space where families can pause and reflect on the passing of the seasons.

Tag Archives: Harry Elletson

OUTPATIENT

★★★★

Reading Rep Theatre

OUTPATIENT at Reading Rep Theatre

★★★★

“a heart-warming story with an unexpected ending”

OUTPATIENT at Reading Rep Theatre

Reviewed on 17th October 2024

by David Woodward

Photography by Harry Elletson

Previously reviewed at this venue:

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING OSCAR | ★★★★★ | May 2024

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE | ★★★★★ | December 2023

SHAKESPEARE’S R&J | ★★★★ | October 2023

HEDDA GABLER | ★★★★★ | February 2023

DORIAN | ★★★★ | October 2021

OUTPATIENT

OUTPATIENT

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page

Solstice

★★★★

Battersea Arts Centre

SOLSTICE at Battersea Arts Centre

★★★★

“Solstice may be a small show, but it has a large heart”