Theatre
Adult Child/Dead Child at the Drum Theatre (review)
16th April 2010Claire Dowle's award-winning Adult Child/Dead Child was originally written as a chillingly disturbing monologue, but director Kevin Johnson and his team have adapted it for a cast of 16.
The central character, the unnamed ‘she’, is an unloved and neglected child.
She is unable to communicate her feelings and thoughts because no one, not even those closest to her, her family, who should be guiding her to an independent, self-reliant maturity, ever listens to her.
Not surprising, then, that to compensate she invents an imaginary friend called Benji. At first Benji is her substitute confidant and supporter.
But then Benji encourages her in destructive acts, including attacks on teacher and father.
Eventually she is sectioned and at last meets people who care about her and will listen to her often hesitant revelations.
Medication ensures Benji recedes and the girl reaches independence.
Benji’s threatened return when she temporarily stops taking her tablets is negated by the girl’s acquisition of a dog, a real-life companion.
On a leaf-strewn scrap-heap of a set this admittedly simplistic plot reveals the trauma that can attend the growing-up process, especially when others don’t always understand what they’re hearing or, worse, don’t even bother to listen.
The cast switch roles, ignoring sexes, adding significantly to portraying the girl’s inner turmoil.
In one way this diffuses the focus away from her, but simultaneously broadens our understanding of her circumstances and provides multiple viewpoints.
The players have also devised an impressive variety of ways in which to depict the girl’s relationship with Benji.
Initially a distressing tale of mental instability, it ends on a note of hope.
All in all, this is strong stuff. The members of the company have had to dig deep within themselves, emotionally and physically, in their exploration of the girl’s challenging world, and conflate it into an ensemble piece in which they are all totally dependent on each other, vocally and bodily.
It’s an impressive achievement.
Bill Stone
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