Falling More Slowly

Falling More Slowly a play performed by Chorley Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society in The Studio at Chorley Theatre, Dole Street, Chorley on Saturday, 13th May, 2023

Falling More Slowly is a modern-day drama which tells the story of a grieving mother who visits her late daughter’s bedroom and discovers a diary. In it, she reads of her daughter’s struggle with bi-polar disorder and the experiences she had to contend with, both at home and at work! Through the diary, we follow the mother as she relives the ups and downs, the triumphs and the tragedies and what they both had to deal with. This compelling and moving story will resonate with many and is based on real-life testimonies.

Production Team … this play was written and directed by David Reid.  In his programme notes David tells us that this play was first performed almost twenty years ago by the Performing Arts Students at Preston College where David worked as a lecturer.  David thanked the Artistic Committee here at CADOS for the opportunity to revive this play. He also thanked Paul Carr for his tremendous help with the tech side of things, Jacob Turner for his encouragement and support in revising this play and to the cast for their commitment, dedication and enthusiasm during rehearsals.

The Cast … this play was played in the ‘round’ here at The Studio at Chorley Theatre with a cast of four females. There was no individual ‘stars’ in the production… just four ladies coming together as ‘one’ and telling an emotional story that had ‘meaning and life’! Michaela Taylor took on the role of ‘Dee’… the bi-polar sufferer!  Michaela did a great job with this role, great stage presence, loved the characterisation, loved the mannerisms and the facial expressions… Michaela took us on a very sad and emotional journey which had a great impact on those present… well done Michaela.  Donna Keller played ‘Emm’… Dee’s mum, another that took us on a very similar journey to that of ‘Dee.  This type of story usually focuses on the sufferer… but more often than not the more troubled and the one most affected is the one left behind, the one who finds the diary, the one who has to read it!  Donna gave us a great characterisation of Dee’s mum… stage presence aplenty and another great characterisation… be proud Donna!  Katie Potter took on multiple roles… ‘Partner’, ‘Boss’, ‘Waiter’ and more!   Katie has wonderful stage presence and did a great job multi-tasking these various characters, bringing individual defining characteristics to each, which isn’t easy when you’re in the same costume, in the same small confined space… be proud Katie great job!   Heather Ayrmax was another multi tasker, playing the role of the ‘friend’, the ‘stranger’, the ‘daughter’ and more!  These roles were less identifiable as those portrayed by Katie, but Heather did a good job in trying to individualise them and bring the emotion and life that they required.  There were times when I did get a little lost… but this had little to do with Heather’s acting ability, it was simply because, with no costume changes, no visual changes, in the same location, with the same props… identification wasn’t easy!  Well done Heather, great job!

Staging/Set/Tech… very minimal across the board, yet effective!  Staging... a table, two chairs at one end of the round and a rostra at the other!  Two cast members (Heather/Katie) had designated seats on the front row (opposite sides) in the audience. They entered and exited the acting area from those positions throughout! Paul Carr (Tech Design); David Reid (Tech Operation) …well done guys!

Summary… honestly, I found this a very difficult production to review… not because of the acting, not because of the storyline, which were both strong, believable and so relatable, but because, having looked around the studio that evening as the play developed and the story unfolded, I could see people in tears, people with heads in hands, some with their eyes closed, some putting their arms around another, some just holding hands and some with huge smiles on their faces… I could only think that most people there that evening were reliving memories, similar ‘heart felt’ moments and remembering similar emotional, heartfelt journeys!  I was a police officer for over thirty years in Liverpool… I met people/families who had been affected with similar types of metal disorder … I think ‘Bi-Polar’ was once called ‘Manic Depression’ and I’ve dealt with individuals and families that have been through the trauma of that condition. I’ve also met and dealt with people suffering with ‘Schizophrenia’ another dreadful mental illness, where people find it impossible to distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality… so to start ‘writing up’ about something that will affect so many people in so many different ways was hard… I just found it ever so difficult!  Bottom line, this play was all about what YOU think, what YOU feel… some will have stories to relate to other won’t, but the pain, the passion and the emotion that filled the studio that evening was tangible… you could feel it, you could see it, you could touch it, you could even see and hear people’s pain!   Sometimes, as with this play, which I’m sure I read this somewhere, was built around subject matter obtained from more than one source, about more than one person… but brought together in one play about one person!  I do feel sometimes that ‘embellishing’ a storyline by introducing more than one story from more than one person, even if they’ve gone through the exact same problems, isn’t as powerful as just sticking to one person’s story… this type of things happens a lot in TV Soaps… but sometimes less is more…  just a thought! 

Well done to all concerned… this play won’t resonate with some, won’t be appreciated by others, but as a piece of drama it was hard hitting and emotional which I’m sure was appreciated by most there that evening, I certainly was!

“KISS THE KIDS FOR ME”…

Thank you so much for the invitation, I went away with so many thoughts and feelings running through my head… really did enjoy the presentation and the thought filled production… hope to see you all again soon!

"Stay safe and keep well"…
"Stronger Together"

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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