Ramesh Meyyappan’s powerful play “Harry” follows an elderly d/Deaf man with dementia as he navigates his inner confusion and hallucinations at a hospice. The play, part of the Made in Scotland showcase, is directed by Matthew Lenton and features stunning performances by Meyyappan and the rest of the cast.
The play explores the challenges of living with dementia, particularly for someone who is d/Deaf and cannot easily communicate with their nurse. The use of physical theatre and visual effects, such as a mirror on stage, help to convey the disorienting experience of dementia.
Throughout the play, Harry grapples with memories of his deceased wife and struggles to piece together his life story. The audience is drawn into Harry’s world, experiencing his confusion and frustration at not being able to fully understand and communicate with those around him.
The sparse set design, haunting music score, and lack of captions for the signing on stage all contribute to the immersive and emotional experience of watching “Harry.” It is a play about love, death, and the difficulty of communication, making it a thought-provoking and moving piece of theater.
“Harry” is currently being performed at Assembly George Square in Edinburgh until August 25. Despite its challenging subject matter, it is a captivating and beautifully executed production that offers a unique perspective on dementia and the experience of living with the condition.
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