one4review | On 15, Aug 2023

A drama in two parts, the action is set in Hyde, a town made notorious by the Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. In the first half we meet Georgie (Emily Carding), who returns home from France to attend her mother’s funeral. Her brother Frank (Henry Naylor), who has been his mother’s carer, admits that it has been a struggle to look after their demanding mother, so a peaceful death at home, although unexpected, is a mercy for all concerned. Georgie’s suspicions are aroused when faced with her mother’s GP, Dr Harold Shipman. 

The second half of the play moves the action on to a care home in Hyde at the start of the pandemic. Emily Carding transforms from the affable Georgie into a care worker, who does the bare minimum for her laughable wages. She enjoys hiding in Frank’s room, the brother from the first drama who sits and stares into space all day. When Matt Hancock announces that they will not allow visitors into care homes she is jubilant, however matters take a sinister turn as Covid takes hold. 

Emily Carding shines in this piece, as she is completely believable in both parts, especially as the hard-bitten care worker. The drama is never less than gripping and necessarily upsetting in parts. Apportioning blame is a constant in today’s news, and this play demonstrates that it is not always such a straightforward process.  The show played to a packed audience the day I was there and deserves full houses to the end of its run. 

4.5****

Reviewed by Rona 

Gilded Balloon – Dining Room 

4pm 

Until 28^th August