Film & Theatre, Reviews | Posted on May 24th, 2024 | return to news
Still Alice
Wimborne Drama Productions, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
Review by Marilyn Barber
Powerful. Moving. Thought-provoking.
These are just three of the many adjectives which could be used to describe this production.
Based on the book by neuroscientist Lisa Genova, it portrays renowned linguistics professor Alice Howland who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Julie Sissons is simply stunning as Alice, taking the audience on this very difficult journey with so much passion. The cruelty of the condition was more than brought home by Michelle Barter who portrays ‘Herself’ giving an insight into what it is like to live with memory loss and confusion.
Andy Gill plays husband John with a huge amount of empathy, with Scarlett Dixon as a colourful would-be actress daughter Lydia who at first finds it hard to understand her mother’s behaviour. Calum Hearne is the final member of the family, Thomas, Alice’s son, and gives a sympathetic performance.
Kelly Webb and Chris Durham complete the cast playing two roles each as doctors and part of a couple.
Complements must also go to the director Sali Pike and her team for such a technically creative set.
And the audience showed their appreciation for the company staging a play with such a challenging theme, with many giving them a standing ovation on the opening night.
Once again Wimborne Drama can be congratulated for the consummate skill we have come to expect from them.
Don’t be put off by the subject matter – try to get a ticket.
It runs until Saturday with evenings at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. To book tickets, contact 01202 885566 or visit www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk/event/still-alice/
Wimborne Drama Productions will make a donation to Alzheimer’s Society.
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