Dementia and old age between dream and reality
By Giovanna Loiotile
Lumenis Theatre Company returns with a new work by Mary Mazzilli, Old Bags, after the acclaim from the public and critics for The Wrong Sleep at the Etcetera Theatre in 2008 and in 2009 at the Cock Tavern Theatre and for the summer tour of Les Chaises in 2009, This time, Mary, the brilliant Italian artist, and writer who is already known for her strongly poetic, language able to touch and challenge the viewer, chooses to bring on stage a comedy drama that deals with sensitive topics, such as senile dementia and aging.
The play is about two parallel stories, two different paths of two strangers. Vivian, 'an Irish lady of about seventy, widow of a British army officer, shows signs of dementia, whereas Dorian is going through some sort of middle life crisis . Both characters face a common enemy, old age, which leads them to hide behind the memories of the past.
The play addresses themes of old age, senile dementia, moments of crisis and transition in a complex, ironic and dramatic way through a theatrical game that mixes fantasy and realism, dream and the drama. The work, combining a surreal and oniric style that is both inquisitive and compassionate challenges the viewer that can but only feel affected by the different unfolding events.
The production of Old Bags is completed by the talented direction of is Jonathan Man of Chinese origin , a young freelance theatre director, who has behind him a vast experience in directing plays that break down boundaries between cultures, such as Polka Theatre, Monkey! Contact Theatre, Diabolic Kyogen a British-Japanese comedy double bill;
There’s Only One Wayne Matthews, a new Roy Williams play; Queer Flip new writing showcase. Soho Theatre: After Jane Eyre: Prism, for the Shared Experience Youth Theatre.
Among its international cast and crew ( there are more than five nationalities involved , Pardo is a Spanish emerging set designer, Sibeal McGuinn playing Vivian, is an Irish actress), it is worth mentioning that the actor Martin Aukland playing the part of Dorian won the Outstanding Theatre Award at Edinburgh in 2009 for his one man show, part of the Shakespearian opera Othello, Iago ("His Interpretation Iago, Othello, Cassio and several smaller parts is energetic and invigorating, jumping from tip to tip as he also manages to create believable interactions between them, plus play all with exceptional verve "in Fringe Review 2009), Martin Aukland, English actor studied with Jos Houben and Paola Rizza at 'Ecole International de Theatre Jacques Lecoq, and has also worked around Europe, London, Paris and Barcelona. Martin in the part of Dorian with his energy has the ability to express the complex psychology of Dorian that almost reminds you of Hamlet through a physical language and dramatic charm.
Key is the venue of the play, which will be running from 12th until 16th October, the New Wimbledon Studio Theatre. This is one of the most beautiful South East London venues. It was originally a ballroom, where allegedly Fred & Adele Astaire danced, now is a theatre of the highest quality.
Do not miss this event of theatre that with poetry, irony and especially the exploration of social problems enchants and challenges the audience.
With “Old bags” hidden talents from around the world come together and with great artistic courage and commitment address delicate social issues. Writer: Mary Mazzilli
Director: Jonathan Man
Set Designer: Ricardo Pardo
Genre: Comedy Drama
Company/Production: Lumenis Theatre Company - David Ahlbrecht
www.lumenistheatre.co.uk
Cast: Sibeal McGuinn, Martin Aukland, Lilia Vara e Suni La
Venue: New Wimbledon Studio
93 The Broadway
London SW19 1QG
0870 060 6646
www.ambassadortickets.com/wimbledon
Dates: 12th -16th October 2010 at 7.45pm every day and at 3.00pm on Saturday
Price: £12 (£10 conc.)
