one4review | On 11, Aug 2024

Leah Shelton has written this play as a riposte to the pathologisation of women’s mental health. This is personal for Leah, as her grandmother, Gwen, was committed to a psychiatric hospital following the death of her son. During this painful time, Gwen moved out of the marital bed and sought solace in religion; she was eventually admitted to hospital when her behaviour increasingly caused concern. Leah has access to her grandmother’s medical records and this, along with vox pops and excerpts from TV programs, paint a horrifying picture of excessive electric shock treatments and medication, attempting to neutralise any thoughts of being anything other than a ‘normal’ wife and mother.

This is a technically brilliant show with a very big heart. Leah’s appearances on stage, looking like the perfect 1950’s housewife (in a strait jacket!) are often funny, but pack an emotional and political punch railing against the patriarchal society that condones such treatment of women. The denouement of the show is fittingly dramatic and a suitable tribute to Gwen. At 50 minutes, this is a short play, but it’s a perfect package with no minute wasted. Leah Shelton deserves her Fringe First Award and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

*****

Reviewed by Rona
Various Times
Traverse Theatre
Until the 25th August (Not 12th or 19th)