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A generation of change For the Past 30 Years
The Door, Birmingham Rep
**** FOR the Past 30
Years is a collection of monologues
presented beautifully
by the company Women in Theatre. It depicts a number of inspiring stories based on
women’s real life experiences of working in the public sector over
periods of Thirty years. This relevant and empowering production
challenges the audience to rethink their approaches to working life and
look into the lives of the individuals faced with circumstance and
sacrifice.
This is a production that’s relevant to us all.
The monologues describe what has changed in work and in life over the
past three decades with an uncertainty of looking into the future for
what is to come. There was a wonderful sense of collaboration.
This was a company production which made the story ever stronger. Each
detail was finely represented with
each actress providing a strong sense of empathy for the characters they
portrayed bringing them alive for the audience. So much in fact that you could hear hums of
approval from the watchers and gratifying yesses after a strong
statement was made. Writer’s Naylah Ahmed, Stephanie Dale, Katy
Knight, Stephanie Dale Hannah Silva and Polly Wright were given a great
platform to represent the touching experiences of women of the community
and to showcase their unique and diverse talents.
Of course, the epic writing was amplified further with three superb actresses, bringing the words to life. Janice Connolly, Lorna Laidlaw and Hema Mangoo had a passionate grasp of each story and character, giving the audience a heart-warming and uplifting sense of inspiration to create their own interpretation. Each actor presented two monologues of profound
contrast, showing the difference and culture of women in the community
and the adversities faced over a period of time. The actor’s exude
personality. Their individual approach was a pleasure to see and was a
beautiful reflection of the real life people that we connect with every
day. Janice Connolly, best known as Barbara Nice on
the comedy circuit, is a founder member and Artistic Director of Women &
Theatre and her belief and passionate enthusiasm to reach out and touch
the community was plain to see in her performance. Playing the roles of a nurse of the NHS,
lecturing students about the
then and now was an intimate reminder of the essence of caring for
others. We also see a touching and relevant performance through the role
of a teacher, having given her last class before retirement. Connolly is
not only pure and compassionate within her performance, she injects an
uplifting sense of humour. Lorna Laidlaw is also a delightful pleasure to watch on stage. We first see her as a bossy businesswoman, letting the audience know how she fought her way to the top. Laidlaw has great presence and approaches her characters with every ounce of energy. Janice Connolly She lifts the audience with her genuine delivery
and there is a constant smile on audience faces while she performs We
also see Laidlaw as a probation officer, affecting people’s lives
directly, seeing changes of the system. Hema Mangoo also gives tender performances as she
depicts the role of a costume maker, pining for her ambitions of the
past and a spokeswoman carer. She provides a nostalgic viewpoint of what
has changed within the past Thirty years. Directors Tessa Walker and Caroline Wilkes
cleverly included the audience in the performance, giving encouragement
for audience members to create their own experiences. While many people talk about wanting change in
life, Women & Theatre have stood up and make it happen. This is a play
that speaks from a fountain of experience and invites the audience to
see what has happened in order to progress in the future. It is
empowering, funny, deeply touching and hugely inspirational. To 11-10-14 Elizabeth Halpin
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