Forget me not
Refinery ArtSpace, 114 Hardy St, Nelson
17/03/2024 - 18/03/2024
Production Details
Written and performed by Nikkie Karki
Directed by Donna Chapman.
Cre8
Deidre is in her final years in life and spends her time thinking about her regrets and grief of losing her one and only love, Tom. Deidre spends her days house bound, reminiscing to her plant Betty. She dips in and out of consciousness not knowing what a dream or reality is anymore with memories playing out in the here and now.
Her feelings of loneliness and abandonment come out when interacting with the outside world, particularly with her two children. Deidre prefers to rely on her plant Betty for comfort and support (no one else seems to understand, or even care).
This solo show explores a very relevant issue of these modern times where the nuclear family lives far away from extended family and the elderly experience loneliness as a common event, particularly since Covid and the like, where isolation to protect the elderly is now a norm, often at the expense of wellbeing and connection.
Bought to by Nikki Karki, who presented the stunning Not JUST a Mother at the 2023 Fringe. Directed by Donna Chapman. With thanks for support by The Umbrella Project.
Venue: Refinery Arts space, Hardy st, Nelson.
Nelson Fringe : Sunday 17th and Monday 18th March 2024.
6.05pm – 6.50pm
$16 plus booking fee (can pay more if you want to).
Link to event: https://nelsonfringe.co.nz/event/forget-me-not/
Solo show – Nikkie Karki performer.
Solo , Theatre ,
40 min max
Has the potential to be a lovely, empathetic reflection
Review by Melanie Stewart 18th Mar 2024
Forget Me Not is a performance of a little slice of life of Deidre, an elderly woman reminiscing about her past and contemplating her relationship with her children, her grief at losing her husband Tom, and the subsequent loneliness.
The performance is moved forward through Deidre’s conversations with her houseplant Betty, phone conversations with her children and Diedre’s reality sometimes crossing over into dreams of her past, lost loves and opportunities.
Conversations with her children are skilfully delivered and give a good insight into Deidre’s relationship with them. Her expectations of her dutiful daughter, who calls or visits daily, as opposed to her indulgence of her adult son. The irony of her lending money to her son to prop up his business while he was holidaying in the Bahamas is not lost on the audience.
The play meanders along with enough pace to keep the audience engaged in Diedre’s struggles. There are chuckles from those who obviously recognise some of Deidre’s traits, perhaps in their own families, perhaps in themselves: falling asleep at the drop of a hat, an aversion to technology, and answer phone etiquette.
Deidre’s constant companion, Betty, is symbolic of her need for companionship which is reflected in her conversations with Betty about her friends who have passed away. A flashback to a missed opportunity for a meaningful relationship reflects her reluctance to move on.
The performance has some poignant moments but doesn’t quite convince me. The timeline sometimes doesn’t ring true and the thread wavers off course. With further work this performance has the potential to be a lovely, empathetic reflection of the realities of growing old in our modern society.
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