Reference letter from Rethink Mental Illness charity, in support of Vintage Star Production's play, Normal?

?By Karla Williams, Afridiziak Theatre News The theme of mental health in a play is hardly a novel idea. However Normal? by award winning writer Ann Akin brings a different angle and doesn’t so much tackle the issues from the point of view of the sufferer, but the affect it has on the family surrounding them. Ash (Ashton) is suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, which leaves her frequently hearing voices and convinced that walking bare foot in the snow is normal practice. Her adopted sister Ray (Akin) is her only carer but the stresses and strains of Ash’s sometimes-violent illness, are beginning to take their toll. While Ray longs for a normal life will she be able to cope if her ever present sister were no longer always by her side? Normal? is an emotional and thought provoking tale that explores shame, stigma and the emotional turmoil frequently caused by having a mental ill family member. Told using a collection of monologues and duologues the piece has a stylised and choreographed feel thanks to Akin’s background as a dancer. This approach to direction wasn’t entirely successful as at times I felt the movement of the actors lacked an organic...