William Kite Has Memory Issues – Paradise in the Vault

With an ageing population, it is becoming more likely that your life will be, or has been touched by a diagnosis of Dementia.

You’ll have experienced first-hand, its ripple effect on all the lives it leaves an impression on. For the affected individual, the advocacy provided by family and friends is paramount to ensure that they’re receiving the care they need, and that they’re kept safe and feel supported.

Dottyb / Robot Parrot Productions present a snapshot of the barriers faced by advocates in seeking the necessary assessments and appointments for their loved ones. Such as the long wait times on the phone, lack of communication between agencies, feeling at a loss with all the various barriers, feeling powerless as their loved one’s care needs slowly increase as the disease takes hold.

William Kite, living independently in his flat, has been slowly starting to forget his appointments, making him easily confused. As well as finding tins of soup in his coat pockets and keys in his glasses case, William’s cognitive decline is making him susceptible to financial abuse with people taking advantage of his new vulnerability.

The company of 3 actors portray the life of someone living with early onset Alzheimer’s with sensitivity. Other various roles are represented well by 2 actors set downstage left and right, who adorn various items of clothing and props to help the audience differentiate between the various characters in William’s story.

The production does have the potential to show, rather than tell, at times relying on exposition and spoon feeding its audience with information, rather than using alternative methods of storytelling.

Some pacing issues could be improved by removing unnecessary sound effects and props. It also appeared that William was wearing a gold banded wedding ring but no mention of a partner or the absence of the family members who were written on his memory board. It would have been nice to learn more about William.

A poignant dedication to those lost to the disease.  It is certain that the company have done their friend proud with this important and touching portrayal.

Showing every day at 11am until the 17^th August 2024.

Reviewer: Gill Lewis

Reviewed: 14th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: