Fluff – New Wimbledon Theatre

This is a one-woman play and is the first creation from the duo James Piercy and Tayla Kenyon, the founders of Teepee productions. This story focusses on a life afflicted by Alzheimer’s in ways that highlight how this debilitating disease impacts the lives of the people it penetrates. Tayla Kenyon as Fluff herself acts out the story through her many different roles, narrative and dramatisation from birth, school years from young love and boyfriend crush to her adult years as a teacher and a mother. Surrounded by her father for whom she loved dearly, and an Irish mother. Fluff faced challenges of her own as she navigated her way through life.     

The staging is simplistic, the lightning and projection of pictures amplify the poignancy of how people change and memories fade. To the faint sounds of the radio and the long pauses of silence which ground you into the detail of this continuous story line. The opening scenes at first didn’t quite set the scene well or draw you in. There was a lot to understand. An array of characters was introduced all played out by Kenyon as she hopped from one to another. This was distracting but not confusing. The staging was designed that Fluffcould utilise the props to tell her story, moving around the stage as she acted out the next character. This may have been the issue however, the chair became a focal point as Fluff moved from the school to the medical room, to just sitting talking through her life. It all started to become clear as time passed, the changes were smoother, undulating storylines cleverly articulated by Fluff, the intrigue intensified.

The brilliance was in the piecing together and layering of the ‘disclosure’ that Fluff delivered in such way that was truly unexpected. The writing and the ability to get messages across in this way by one actor with a few props, is truly exceptional. In 75 minutes, she hits home the realities of what It’s like to be around people faced with dementia. She raises awareness of the impact this has on the lives of others caring for family, or friends which is commendable.

This Piercy andKenyon play Fluff has a clear defining moment; in that it demonstrates realism through storytelling. When the actor narrator hits that mark it should be recognised as a creative artistic success.     

Co-written by Piercy & Kenyon for Theatre and Tonic

Directed by Danae Cambrook & Tayla Kenyon

Lighting Alex Telxido Blouna

Running time: 75 minutes no interval.

Reviewer: Michelle Knight

Reviewed: 1st April 2025  

North West End UK Rating: