TITLE: Bag Lady, Hidden Gem Productions
VENUE: LBT REVIEW: Rebecca Haslam
In the small Cellar Theatre, maximum capacity 120, audience members take their seats and are confronted by a collection of bags, discarded shoes and boxes. This is the setting, writes Rebecca Haslam.
Flo Wilson, with an impressive theatre and television career, is the sole performer – playing Eve, or Evelyn to give the character her full name – and she instantly comendeers the attention of everyone.
She moves swiftly from one topic to another; setting the minds of many racing as they keep up with each. Many nod their agreement or laugh along with the humorous remarks.
Few theatre productions or performances really get you to think about what you are watching, or leave you with a sense of questioning yourself, but Bag Lady does.
The subject matter, though strongly set around mental health issues, takes on the likes of wars, baggage (both physical and otherwise) and the issues of friendship and family.
“"Memories are precious”, says Eve – it is true that far too many people take those they know and the moments they share for granted.
Credit must truly be given to Flo, who holds the attention of everyone around her – pairs of eyes following her every move as she wraps herself in discarded clothes or plays, like a child, with a toy car.
Her portrayal is something she has clearly worked long and hard at to ensure it is as flawless as it appears.
Not many shows would put an issue with the stigma that still surrounds it today at its centre, but Bag Lady must be applauded for taking on mental health and putting it in the public eye, albeit on a small scale, but doing it nonetheless.
Too often those with depression or other illnesses are disregarded. In the space of an hour, Eve puts across the one point that really matters – victims are people too, and should be treated as such.
It was a one-off performance in Huddersfield to mark Black History Month, but it should be taken to theatres across the country – everyone should see a stunning performance of what it means to be human, to struggle and to survive as best you can.
