Review: THE FATHER, Duke of York's Theatre, March 1 2016

Following its hugely successful premiere in Bath and sold out shows in London at the Tricycle and Wyndham's Theatre last year, Florian Zeller's The Father has returned to the West End for a second time. Having just been nominated for three Oliviers, the production focuses on eighty-year-old Andre and his daughter Anne as they struggle to cope with Andre's mental decline due to Alzheimer's.

Kenneth Cranham reprises his role of Andre and although, initially, the audience's role seems to be simply as a spectator to the events taking place, they are eventually dragged in to the confusing mind of someone suffering from the debilitating disease. We're left confused as to who Anne is, what is going on in her life and what Andre's situation is - does he live with Anne and her husband, does he live with a divorced Anne or does he live in a nursing home while Anne lives her life in London? We're torn between the different realities that exist in Andre's mind, years become mixed up and scenes are repeated as the audience is given a unique insight into Alzheimer's.

Amanda Drew has taken over the role of Anne and is superb as a young woman struggling to cope with her father's illness. She is torn between wanting to live her life and the urge to look after her father as best as she can. Her devotion to him is unwavering - even when he accuses her of trying to steal money from him by selling his flat and threatens to call her selfish at her funeral should he outlive her. She is also struggling to cope with the death of her sister and maintain any sort of relationship.

Cranham's performance is utterly convincing, he brings incredible heart and charm to the character. His initial forgetfulness has the audience laughing; that is until the extent of his illness becomes apparent. The set, designed by Miriam Buether, is a large room with a hallway and kitchen attached. With each passing scene furniture disappears completely, until the only thing left is the chair Andre is sat on, further emphasising his mental decline.

Director James Macdonald keeps the story moving at a steady pace, with the ninety-minutes moving by quickly. This is one piece of groundbreaking, heart-wrenching theatre that will stay with audience members for a very long time.

Photo Credit: Mark Douet

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