Written By
Christine Mary Dunford adapted from the book by Lisa Genova
Where and When
23rd – 25th May 2024 @ The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
The Plot
Alice Howland is a university professor at the height of her career when she is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Fiercely independent, with a husband and two children, Alice strives to make sense of her changing world as her memory begins to fail. This heartbreaking and hopeful adaptation of the award-winning book by Lisa Genova puts Alice onstage with Herself, providing the audience with an extraordinary window into the experience of living with dementia.
We are pleased to support the work of Alzheimer’s Society and will be making a donation in aid of the charity.
Ticket Info
- Thursday – Saturday Evenings – £17.50
- Saturday Matinee – £15.50
Cast
- Alice – Julie Sissons
- Herself – Michelle Barter
- John – Andy Gill
- Lydia – Scarlett Dixon
- Thomas – Calum Hearne
- Dr Tamara / Beth – Kelly Webb
- Dr David / Dan – Chris Durham
Creative Team
- Director – Sali Pike
- Stage Manager – Rob Cording Cook
- Set Designers – Colin Pile, Nick Clark & Sali Pike
- Set Construction – Nick Clark & members of the company
- Sound & Projection – Nick Clark & Colin Pile
- Book Cover – Judy Garrett
- ASM/ Props – Hazel Lilly, Steve Soutar, Lauren Baker & Richard Neal
- Costumes – Tracie Billington-Beardsley
Gallery
Reviews
Marilyn Barber, Dorset View
Powerful. Moving. Thought-provoking.
These are just three of the many adjectives which could be used to describe this production.
Based on the book by neuroscientist Lisa Genova, it portrays renowned linguistics professor Alice Howland who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Julie Sissons is simply stunning as Alice, taking the audience on this very difficult journey with so much passion. The cruelty of the condition was more than brought home by Michelle Barter who portrays ‘Herself’ giving an insight into what it is like to live with memory loss and confusion.
Andy Gill plays husband John with a huge amount of empathy, with Scarlett Dixon as a colourful would-be actress daughter Lydia who at first finds it hard to understand her mother’s behaviour. Calum Hearne is the final member of the family, Thomas, Alice’s son, and gives a sympathetic performance.
Kelly Webb and Chris Durham complete the cast playing two roles each as doctors and part of a couple.
Complements must also go to the director Sali Pike and her team for such a technically creative set.
And the audience showed their appreciation for the company staging a play with such a challenging theme, with many giving them a standing ovation on the opening night.
Once again Wimborne Drama can be congratulated for the consummate skill we have come to expect from them.
Don’t be put off by the subject matter – try to get a ticket.
Programme
