Sarah Roy is impressive as the eponymous Catherine in this one woman performance. The play takes the form of conversations between Catherine and Anita, her friend from childhood, and with other important figures in her life. We only ever get to hear Catherine's side of the dialogues, but the script, and Roy's skills, leave us in little doubt about what's being said.
In a jumbled flow that gradually reveals the realities of her life, there's Catherine as a child, grown up and on her first date, as a married woman, simple adjustments to her hairstyle indicating the stage of development reached. A picture emerges of a troubled mind, a personality at odds with the world around her, and one both exploited and misunderstood. This is a drama about the abuse of children, the damage that inflicts, and the complexities of metal illness. How does someone cope with the knowledge that society doesn't see their behaviour as 'normal', but trying to fit in means losing a big part of themselves? Who gets to say what 'normal' is?
There's a wonderful scene when she has her first date in a restaurant, the timing superb as she gives us the feel of a natural conversation, but without any uncomfortably long pauses, just uncomfortable truths. The childhood scenes are a bit weaker, the phrasing too adult, even for one seen as precocious, but Roy has the ability to maintain the momentum and remain believable. We see a young woman who commits terrible acts in her desire to be 'Zebra Woman', in a need to protect herself, but still holds our sympathy through an understanding of what she's enduring.
Catherine and Anita is a powerful piece of theatre and a disturbing portrayal of disturbed personality. Highly recommended.
Catherine and Anita is on in the Assembly Rooms at 21.05 until 26 August.
No comments:
Post a Comment