by Tom Casling

Synopsis

‘In Sickness And In Health’ is part of a trilogy of plays written in 2010 under the title ‘Generation Gaps’. The first: ‘Parents Evening’ dealt with issues of children 5-11 years of age. The second play: ‘Children Of The Revolution’ looked at issues with teenagers, and this, the third play was written as part of a Dementia Awareness Day before the illness was as well-known and understood as it is now.

The play chronicles the experience of Val as her husband develops dementia and   how their life and love deteriorates from a loving marriage to a carer and disabled person relationship. Val’s conversational approach with the audience develops a kind of intimacy and one is left wondering if Val is talking directly to every individual in the audience, or is sharing her thoughts out loud to no one in particular, or just reminiscing on what was.

The various scenes depict actual incidents gathered from people with real experiences, and although the condition is better understood nowadays and more support is in place, the experiences are very real. It is sad, poignant, and in a way uplifting

Duration

Characters

(1m, 1f)

• Val Braithwaite - 65+
• Tom Braithwaite - 65+