Eden Court – One Touch Theatre

Inverness

6th May

In her first Solo show, Fiona Geddes chose to write about her own personal experience of growing up with a mother who suffers from Schizo affective disorder. As a child, her situation seemed quite normal and within her family the word Schizophrenia was never ushered. With a simple set and clever use of lighting, Fiona uses direct address, but plays the role of her mother while recollecting child hood memories and also performs the role of three doctors who give varying advice about this mental health condition. There is lots of humour which provides some relief from sad and distressing scenarios from her childhood.

Though the story is based from her point of view as a daughter and carer, playing her mother does give some balance to the piece, but at times I couldn’t help but find it a bit one sided. While the play maintained a good pace, it did feel slightly too long. All in all though this was a honest, well written and performed piece that bravely tackles real issues.

Reviewer : Zoe Gwynne