It’s easy to see why ES & FLO, which is in the Weston Studio at the Wales Millennium Centre through till Saturday 13th May, has picked up awards and praise for writer JENNIFER LUNN. It is incredibly moving, and as I left the theatre last night, I couldn’t help think how kind and full of heart and love it is.
It’s been a tricky piece for Jennifer and a long journey to finally get it to our stage, thanks in part to the pandemic we hate to name. Despite this, she picked up the Nancy Dean Lesbian Playwriting Awards and Popcorn New Writing Award. Now, awards are fantastic things, but deep down a playwright really wants to see their work performed in front of an audience, especially as at heart she is a director and producer.
Now the play is on stage I can do nothing but sing its praise and recommend you get along and see it while you can.
‘Es & Flo’ explores the moving story of a lesbian couple that have secretly been in love and living together for over 30 years when Es begins to show signs of dementia. It’s a story about generations of women and choosing your own family, kindness, forgiveness and discrimination as Flo is determined to make sure that Es and her are not parted.
At the end of last nights performance, and during a gathering to celebrate the play itself, we spoke to the two stars of the show Liz Crowther and Doreene Blackstock and also set and costume designer Libby Watson. The set is crucial to the plot, which of course you’re going to say is always the case, but in a story dealing with dementia, and centred around a home filled with a lifetime of memories, it becomes even more relevant. Which is the first point we put to Liz…….
The way the play explores dementia is both real and at times, frightening. As Es (LIZ CROWTHER) declines, becomes more forgetful, confused and changes, the frustration felt by Flo (DOREENE BLACKSTOCK) is visibly understandable. To see the person you love and care so deeply about slowly evaporate is incredibly heartbreaking. Es protests that she’s not a ‘bloody invalid‘ with Flo telling her she is following her around the house, turning off taps and the gas behind her. But in a simple loving line she tells Es, ‘I’m happy to, because I choose you‘.
You are completely invested in the lives of these two women and those attempting to influence their 30 plus year relationship. The challenges faced by queer couples, particularly those who are more mature, are sensitively handled with great understanding.
The play is beautifully directed by SUSIE MCKENNA, who has allowed this piece to breathe, something I haven’t seen used so well on stage for a long time. The intensity of the frustration felt by both women, for differing reasons, is really felt through the moments of silence, which something like dementia brings.
The story focuses on the lives of Es & Flo, but there are others also affected by the unexpected situation these women finds themselves in.
Also in the cast of five intergenerational female characters, who range in age from eight to 71, are MICHELLE MCTERNAN, ADRIANNA PAVLOVSKA, with the youngest role of Kasia shared between Cardiff actors, REESIE DUPE and MIRELLA SICILIANO. Ressie played in the performance last night and brought a fantastic energy to the ‘daughter’ role.
Michelle and Adrianna are also perfectly cast, each bringing contrast to the stage. Michelle, the seemingly stern daughter-in-law, till understanding finally kicks in. Adrianna is dynamic as Beata, a powerhouse of an initially unwelcome carer who refuses to take any crap from anyone, including Es & Flo.
These four women light up the stage with such a strong bond, and Reesie adding that much needed childlike innocence make the show an unmissable joy.
I deliberately haven’t gone into great details about the story and where it takes you. As I mentioned to Liz and Doreene last night, this is a show you need to watch unfold, with no spoilers before you arrive.
What I will say is that it is a real joy to see actors of a certain generation portraying a lesbian love story with such passion and deep love that you can’t help but share your emotions with them as they go on this difficult life journey. What dememtia does is allow us to indulge in our characters history, as they remember times of the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp and the early days of their meeting.
The use of video and projected images is clever, but not overly done, it adds a real sense of the characters togetherness as we learn about their lives.
At the end of last nights performance we were told about the sudden death of Company Stage Manager ANTONIA COLLINS.
Antonia has been a professional Stage Manager for over 25 years working extensively in the UK and overseas. Originally starting as an Assistant Stage Manager in repertory theatre she then went on to specialise in opera production. In 2000 Antonia took up a lecturing role at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff UK.
Michelle McTernan said……
“Tonight’s Press Night and the rest of our run of Es & Flo will be dedicated to our dear friend and stage manager Antonia Collins. We are all heartbroken. We miss you so much”
I hate the old overused cliché of ‘rollercoaster of emotions‘ but here I am using it myself, struggling to find another phrase which best sums up where this incredible production will lead you. You will laugh, a lot, you will cry, for sure. But what I also understood about the torment of dementia, is the incredible frustration felt by both the sufferer and all those around them. This is a condition indiscriminate in where it strikes and unpredictable in its development. Es & Flo captures the mood perfectly and doesn’t sugar coat the emotions.
Do I recommend you see this show – do I ever. It’s not often you get to say I was there at the start of something special but in this case I most certainly was.
ES & FLO is at the Wales Millennium Centre’s Weston Studio through to Saturday 13th May. Performances are at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm matinee on the Saturday. It runs for around 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a 15 minute interval. To be honest I couldn’t wait to get back to my seat to follow the journey with these women. For more information, and to get tickets go HERE.
To see our original feature go HERE.
If you are living with or indeed know anyone with Dememtia, the ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY offer dedicated support and research into life-changing treatments. For more information, head to their website – HERE
