Celia Imrie and Tamsin Greig confront Alzheimer’s in powerful play

In the intimate setting of London's Donmar Warehouse, Celia Imrie and Tamsin Greig have captivated audiences with their performances in a groundbreaking play centered on the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship impacted by Alzheimer's disease. The world premiere of this semi-autobiographical work, penned by Anna Mackmin, showcases the ebb and flow of shifting dynamics, as Greig portrays Bo and Imrie embodies her mother, Beth, whose colourful yet chaotic life is marred by the afflictions of her illness. Mackmin's own experiences, growing up in a hippie commune in Norfolk with a poet father and a bohemian mother who succumbed to Alzheimer’s, inform the richness of the narrative, as it travels back in time through fragmented memories. The set design mirrors the themes unfolded throughout the performance, with details that evoke a sense of claustrophobia and nostalgia, enhancing the audience's experience of the emotional turmoil faced by the characters. The stage is cluttered with objects reminiscent of the 1970s, illustrating the tangled web of past and present memories. Throughout the performance, the two actresses' chemistry stands out, allowing both tenderness and tension to surface, revealing the heart-wrenching reality of familial relationships and the universal pain of impending loss. Mackmin’s writing delivers a raw yet humorous exploration into the struggles of caring for a parent with dementia, as characters engage in both lighthearted banter and poignant moments of reflection. As Greig navigates her character's anxiety while caring for her ailing mother, Imrie’s depiction revels in the quirks and escapism of a past version of Beth. The interplay between the two performances creates a relatable and visceral portrait of familial bonds riddled with emotional complexity. Despite some critiques regarding the overall length and certain elements that verge on melodrama, the two lead actresses’ performances are largely celebrated for their emotional honesty and depth. As this exploration of aging and memory unfolds, audience members are left to ponder the intricacies of mother-daughter relationships, making the overall experience both thought-provoking and impactful.