FULL REVIEW

Bothered & Bewildered

Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury 7.30 p.m. 5th, 6th & 7th September 2019

As the curtain went up, we see two daughters in a room talking to a Care Worker about the difficulties that they are experiencing with their mother (Irene) who has Alzheimer’s. Having gone through similar emotions with my late mother, I could relate to everything that they were saying.

Bothered & Bewildered is a stage play written by Gail Young, and is currently showing at the Gulbenkain/Kent University over the nights of 5th, 6th & 7th September, acted and produced by the University’s home grown amateur actors, the award-winning University of Kent Players.

This is Gail’s second full-length play, which deals with the problems of dementia. Gail’s father-in-law, had been afflicted with Alzheimer’s, and together with the contribution from two former colleagues, who also shared their mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s, Gail was prompted to write ‘Bothered and Bewildered’. Gail describes the play as a truthful and poignant account of living with dementia, a comedy drama about life, love and loss”.

The play follows Irene and her two daughters Louise and Beth as the girls lose their mum in spirit but not in body, to the cruel condition of Alzheimer’s. Sadly this condition and that of Vascular Dementia is experienced in many families, or you may have lost friends to the terrible illness. Last night I sat through this comic but serious play and would highly recommend that you go to one of the performances over the next couple of nights. You will laugh, and tears will form in your eyes, but I guarantee that you will not be disappointed by the brilliance of the acting. Not an easy play to depict, but the Players took on the challenge and outweighed all expectations. Well done, University of Kent Players!

Review by Jenny Overy/Canterbury

Tickets are still available to see Bothered & Bewildered at The Gulbenkian box office, or online here: https://thegulbenkian.co.uk/events/university-of-kent-players-bothered-bewildered/