This heartbreaking portrayal of the effects of Alzheimer’s disease only needed two people and two chairs to hit hard.
Looking around the little room as the lights came up and people started to sit down from their standing ovation, I observed a reaction I’d never seen before in theatre: all around, couples and friends were turning and hugging each other. There wasn’t much talking, only crying and hugging.
I prefer to conduct more research after I’ve seen a show, because I like to form my own opinions without expectation. So when I later read that ‘In Other Words’ had won many awards and travelled across seven countries and four continents, it made a lot of sense. This show is a masterpiece, and it is no surprise that it has experienced success since 2017. In fact, I realised I was lucky to see it being performed by the writer himself, Matthew Seager.
The story follows Arthur and Jane: a couple who meet, fall in love, and spend their lives together. Then comes a point where Arthur begins to forget things. Every stage of Alzheimer’s disease is portrayed, and as Arthur’s condition deteriorates, both of their worlds begin to crumble. The running theme is the music of Frank Sinatra, which was present through their whole lives together. In the end, only that seems to bring them peace, even when Arthur seems to be lost completely. It brought them back together during the hardest times.
The whole thing was so beautifully done. It’s an intimate show, suited to a small venue (the Alphabetti Theatre seated 80), with a very simple set of two chairs and a lamp and just two characters, who were present for the whole 70 minutes. We were so close that the story seemed even more personal and profound. They used simple costume and lighting changes to indicate the passing of time, and jumping timelines, but there was never confusion as this was designed and executed brilliantly.
Matthew Seager’s acting was incredible. His ability to act a lifespan involving the deterioration of Arthur’s condition as he aged was stunning – his posture and mannerisms gave away the deep experience and understanding of Alzheimer’s. Lydia White’s portrayal of Jane was equally moving as the couple lived through an emotional rollercoaster together, but seemingly on tracks that were going in different directions. Both perspectives were recognised and heartbreaking.
So many people suffer the effects of Alzheimer’s, and it is unbelievably cruel to watch someone you feel completes you, begin to no longer recognise you. The show’s power and impact is exactly what is needed to raise awareness. Art is to make you feel, and the tears in the room by the end were a testament to the success of this piece of art.