A one-woman show starring three women, set to a 90s soundtrack with a costume box and a sprinkling of glitter, Bright Places promises a lively night out in Birmingham. Yet, beneath the sparkles lies a serious story. Louise was a typical 23-year-old living her best life when a sudden diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) turned her world upside down. Winner of the Peggy Ramsay Award, presented by Carbon Theatre in association with Birmingham Rep and directed by Tessa Walker, Bright Places is an autobiographical journey through the realities of growing up with a chronic illness, capturing the highs, the humour, and the harsh truths.
Walking into the space, the audience are met with four tall vertical flats, topped by a single horizontal one. Initial thoughts led to how well-suited they would be for projections—and indeed, they were put to powerful use during an early rave scene. Later, after Lou’s diagnosis, the flats rotated, a subtle but effective symbol of her world literally being turned upside down. Beyond this, the set (Debbie Duru) was kept minimal, with just a few microphones, blocks, and a clothing rail to keep the focus on the narrative.
The three actors portraying Lou were completely captivating. Lauren Foster opened the show with confidence and warmth, and a standout moment was her portrayal of Lou’s anger and frustration at her diagnosis, particularly the pressure to work twice as hard to feel merely average. Aimee Berwick brought raw authenticity, and her scene with the nurse was especially moving, bringing tears to my eyes. Rebecca Holmes joined last, delivering much-needed comic relief in moments like the humorously awkward “virgin” spinal fluid extraction performed by a young doctor.
Overall, Rae Mainwaring has crafted a frank, emotional rollercoaster of a play. My only confusion lay in the naming of the protagonist—while clearly an autobiography, Rae’s character was sometimes called Lou, which I initially thought referred to a second character. Nevertheless, Bright Places provides an enlightening, educational glimpse into a disability I knew little about, and it’s well worth a watch.
Bright Places is on at the Birmingham Rep until Sunday 2nd November before embarking its UK tour. Tickets and more information are available here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Graeme Braidwood
Comentarios