A Fine Send-Off for Jack
A strong directorial debut by Ruth Dodsworth, this touching award winning play by Julie Day links three generations of women who have looked after Jack and are now preparing his funeral tea.
For five years he has been unable to recognise those who love him, because of his illness – Alzheimers.
This is a story of love, friendship and the 'duties' of women.
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Beth, Joyce Liggins, decides not to attend the final visit to the cemetery but to return to the home she has shared with the father she loved and cared for but whose mind died years ago.
She is clear about the hypocrisy of those who will come back for the funeral tea and offer their support. Support never offered while Jack lived.
Joyce showed so well the pragmatic acceptance of the depths of love with the black humour involved in the day to day caring. |
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Enid, played by Jenny Bellamy with panache, reveals her love for Jack and her need for her surrogate family of Beth, Pat and young Vanessa. |
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Pat as played by Ruth Dodsworth with natural flair, is content in the role of carer. Why she says would she be regarded more highly if, what she now does out of love in caring for the sick, became study and a paid job?
It is a question of love given and a need for love.
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Vanessa, strongly played by Heather Appleton is sure of her future and it will not be that of the women who have gone before. But do we believe that? |
All of the women as they prepare the funeral tea ask the question – would men gather in this way and work so well together to make sandwiches and to ice cakes? Who are the carers in society?
In a final twist the women share some home truths which free them all - perhaps. Enid, who has always wanted to fly planes but put off by Jack's comments years ago, decides to take a parachute jump, though she is under the influence of 'medicinal' brandy at the time.
Will these women really change their lives?
Will Beth sell up and travel?
Will Vanessa remain an independent woman responsible for her own destiny?
The questions remain unanswered in the gentle recognition of the complex nature of real love.
The audience become the mourners as the vicar, played uncannily well by Margaret Mitchell, gives the funeral address, a message of hope after the unpleasant physical realities of day to day decay and decline.
The stage crew built a realistic set with a functioning kitchen: congratulations to them, to all the backstage crew and technicians and to the cast for their dexterity in preparing and making the funeral tea while remembering their lines!
The tea was then enjoyed by all 'after the service'.
Review by Ros Wade
Photographs by Chris Iredale
[This Review appeared in the Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald]