Blood Orange, Old Red Lion Theatre - ★★★ - Until January 4, 2020

The public often places doctors on a pedestal. Perhaps, we feel less vulnerable if we idealise them and attribute omniscience to them. This short piece gives us a look beyond the curtain divider and shows the experiences and struggles of a junior doctor balancing the demands of family, career and personal life. This is a humorous and affecting piece of writing by Tania Amsel and she does an excellent job of bringing her character to life, interweaving present day experience and the backstory which has led to her choice of profession. The use of a curtain divider's frame both as a prop and the major component of the set works well and this minimalism keeps the focus on the character and her story. The danger with a one person play is that the monologue, even with the introduction of other voices, can become too expository and not sufficiently dramatic. The line between being and describing can be a difficult one to navigate, but Amsel brings an energy to the piece that never flags and always keeps the audience engaged. At times however, that pace may curtail the audience's emotional involvement. Balancing the competing demands of timing and engagement is always a challenge for a successful theatrical production. This is a dilemma that would probably resonate with the experience of many junior doctors!

Reviewed by J.C.

 Our Score:  ☆☆☆ 

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WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until January 4, 2020
Evenings at 7 pm. Matinees at 2:30 pm
Various show dates available. See website below
Nearest tube: Angel
https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/blood-orange.html