This show aims to educate and raise awareness of autism using the much-loved medium of comedy and well received narrative of true-lived experiences.
Writer Alison Stanley uses
personal life events to demonstrate how autism is often misunderstood and often
ridiculed by those who are ill-informed about the condition whilst illustrating
how the dynamics of an ordinary family trying to cope with everyday life as
well as an autism diagnosis, can be thrown into disarray.
The show is borne from Alison’s
true experiences as a mother dealing with the emotional journey of her son’s
autism diagnosis and the story is told through a collection of personal
reflections which has blossomed into this moving theatrical production.
Alison plays Joanne, the mother
of Jackson who has autism, whilst her own real-life son, Jay Stanley plays the
part of Colin, Jackson’s friend; Cheryl Fergison plays Colin’s mum and Leah
Bell plays Jackson’s Nan who has a slightly old-fashioned way about her and
doesn’t hold back on airing her views in
a humorous way.
There is a video introduction from
Katie Price who also appears via video later on in the production. The set is
constant throughout depicting the Riley’s brightly coloured living room with
sofas and potted plants.
The show skilfully illustrates
how two people, who have been diagnosed with the medical term of autism can be different,
in that one is non-verbal and often recoils into his own shell, whilst the
other constantly chatters and likes to be the centre of attention. The joys of pregnancy
and childbirth are related coupled with the sadness of finding out their child
has autism, revealed by Jackson’s parents, whilst the reality of Jackson, in
his own little world, is depicted as him being perfectly happy wrapped up in
Star Wars books and games and wanting to be a Jedi.
The show would be an ideal
learning/training tool to take into schools for pupils and teachers to help them
understand the difficulties faced by people with autism and their families. A video
version of the play would be an ideal resource for educators to use wherever
the need may arise.
There were a few small issues
which would be helpful if addressed, such as the ages of Jackson and Colin
weren’t made clear and this would have helped; I assume they were young
teenagers but the actors playing the parts appeared to be older. Also, in the story, when dad, Kyle, went to
Colin’s house to collect his present for Jackson, how could he have got into
the house without a key? Maybe I missed something here, but I think this should
have been made clearer to those watching.
Nevertheless, this remarkable
concept is very competently performed, has a brilliant cast and is remarkably
acted by all. Commendations to theatre tech as sound and lighting was spot on.
Cast/Performers:- Cheryl Fergison
(BBC TV Eastenders), Leah Bell, Paul Dunn, Alison Stanley, Jay Stanley, Jonny
Larman, Simon Stuart
This was a one night show at The Epstein Theatre. For more
details about The Life of Riley see https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Life%20of%20Riley
The show is on tour, next stop Chesterfield, see https://chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/shows/living-the-life-of-riley/
Reviewer: Anne Pritchard
On: 18th February 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment