THEATRE REVIEW We Need To Talk About Brenda Salford Arts Theatre

Every regular theatregoer knows what they like, and will often go to see a production they know well and enjoy, always keeping within their own area of interest and knowing that their theatrical experience will be warm and comforting with no big surprises; and the older I get, the more I totally understand this and have even started to become like this myself too (oh dear.....!) So, taking the bull by the horns, I ventured on Saturday evening to Salford Arts Theatre, a friendly small-scale venue somewhere between the Crescent and The Lowry, to see a one-woman production titled, 'We Need To Talk About Brenda', which took me completely not just out of my comfort zone, but also out of my area of expertise.

The Brenda Production's first theatrical outing is a brave, honest and direct monologue by writer / performer Nichole Brown. Her manner is chatty and down-to-earth as she quite openly and obviously breaks down the fourth wall giving more of a performance-lecture than anything; as she takes us through her life story. So far so good. However, when one realises that she is talking not about a friend of hers but in fact her own "ladies' parts" (which she has nicknamed 'Brenda'), and the problems she faces being diagnosed with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) - don't worry, I had to Google it too!! - leading her to make the decision to have a complete hysterectomy (effectively killing 'Brenda') at the age of just 23, this becomes a very personal and frank performance. 

The one hour in her company takes us through some of the symptoms and side-effects which go hand-in-glove with her condition, and these include thoughts of suicide and self-harm, panic attacks, and various other syndromes or disorders etc all with a series of letters which were unknown to me. She talks frankly about menstruation, vaginas, hospital procedures, childbirth, and such; but it is all done so naturally and easily that we cannot be squeamish or unsympathetic; on the contrary, Brown elicits much sympathy and understanding from her audience, as her performance is both thoughtful and heart-felt. 

There are several places of heightened tension whilst the stage is flooded in red lights and a loud buzz is heard, which for me at least, seemed to distract from rather than add to the onstage action; whilst at other times, Brown needed to speak with other people (a doctor, her boyfriend, a nurse etc) and these were done as voiceovers. Again, I would have preferred to have seen them on stage interacting with Brown, but again that is just a personal preference. Director Rhonwen McCormack allowed the story and the theme to flow naturally and informatively, giving due weight and consideration to both performer and audience never allowing us to feel uncomfortable (which was my main concern when realising what I had let myself in for!). 

'We Need To Talk About Brenda' is part lecture, part theatrical experience, part therapy, and despite the onslaught of Brown's condition, she still manages to infuse the whole with bonhomie and some humour. Not for everyone, but sincerely performed.

Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu

on - 10.5.25