⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hope. A small word with an abundance of power. This is the embodiment of Rae Mainwaring's glitter-fuelled pocket rocket of a show. Bright Places has the potential to be a revolutionary spark in hidden disability awareness with its vital and honest portrayal of living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Typically unassociated with being in your 20s, the piece presents Rae's experiences through a creative and raw whirlwind of emotions as she aims to understand this aspect of her identity that tore into her life aged 23.
As a three-woman show, yet following a single personal journey, the cast comprising of Aimee Berwick, Lauren Foster, and Rebecca Holmes each represent a version of Rae to illustrate the multi-faceted impact of MS, as well as playing other characters. Despite such an interweaving nature between parts, it is much easier to follow than initially anticipating, as the individualistic qualities and clever notions in the script aid storytelling well alongside Tessa Walker's direction. Every performance has creative captioning on stage and embedded audio description throughout, demonstrating the ease of championing disability and putting access arrangements at the forefront is priority - a refreshing concept, given how often it is merely an afterthought.
Encapsulating everything from anger, grief and exhaustion, to joy, ambition and unity, including plenty of darkly humorous bouts littered along the way, there's not a feeling left untouched when exploring the truth in life with MS. Deeply moving and inspirational, yet richly authentic rather than artificial, Rae's autobiographical writing offers a voice to many that otherwise goes unnspoken. Combining this with a glitzy stage presence, it poses the opportunity for audiences to engage and be educated with content that might be found difficult to approach in everyday converstation without knowing how to break those barriers. The set is minimal but reflective of the intimate spaces the production is currently touring to and enhancing the characterisation seen, giving weight to the words rather than visuals. That being said, sparkles, sass, and a few particularly flamboyant costumes (designed by Debbie Duru) mixed with some ultimate 90s bangers create an atmosphere to appreciate.
Overall, Bright Places proposes a beautiful taste of being unapologetic through a journey of chronic illness, blending fun with profoundness in a wonderfully articulate fashion. It is 75 minutes of transfixion across the tender yet uplifting narrative: the perfect way to use the platform of theatre to feel seen and make waves towards a better future.
Get your tickets to the production here:
The show will also be available to stream from home soon, leaving no excuse not to catch it!
You can also read my lovely interview with Rae Mainwaring here:
Comments