Rating: ★★★★★
This is a must-see play as it is exceptionally well-written, directed, and superbly acted! This highly emotive play, written by one of Liverpool’s own, Tasha Dowd, was an absolute masterpiece! It had the audience on press and guest night laughing, crying, and empathising with both characters. It was hard-hitting, relevant, accurate, and above all, it highlighted the immense struggle and prejudice of people living with HIV and AIDS.
With excellent direction from Gitika Buttoo and wonderful character portrayals by Luke Sookdeo (Marc) and Emmy Stonelake (Aster), this play had the audience captivated from the opening scene. Stonelake’s performance, in particular, was truly outstanding; her mannerisms, facial expressions, comic timing, and delivery of intensely heart-wrenching lines were so en pointe that this was a totally believable performance of raw emotions. Genuine pathos is often difficult for actors to execute well; however, Stonelake did this with ease.
The set design (Katie Scott) was equally magnificent, greatly adding to the success of the play. Set in Liverpool in 1987, it goes between scenes at a hospital, Aster’s home, and a nightclub. It is not just about the AIDS epidemic; this play explores, with overwhelming empathy, the roles that many lesbian women played in supporting gay men during this time. Profound grief is in abundance; however, in equal measure is loyalty, friendship, acceptance of yourself and medical conditions, acceptance and love from your family and friends, and a fight to survive when the government sought to reduce vital research for life-saving drugs.
“Tell Me How It Ends” runs until 22nd June at The Everyman Theatre. Tickets can be purchased directly from either the box offices of The Playhouse or Everyman in person or by phone.
Cast:
Photo Credit: Andrew AB Photography
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