The Woman In The Mirror theatre review: Reflecting unspoken experiences
Dayna Steele’s autobiographical two-hander explores the overlooked and conflicting emotions experienced by care-givers, in a raw and quietly warm portrayal of mother-daughter relationships
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s means slowly becoming the parent to the person who once looked after you. The Woman In The Mirror captures that reversal with warmth, humour and incredible honesty. Based on Dayna Steele’s experience caring for her own mother, the play charts the gradual shift from sticky notes around the house to missed appointments, anger and eventually full-time care. But there are moments of wonderful humour among it all via hidden walkers, endless phone calls and flashes of the woman her mother used to be.
Steele is an incredible storyteller and the chemistry between the performers is so natural, capturing the familiarity and complexity of a mother-daughter bond. Funny, frustrating and painfully honest, it understands the realities of care-giving: you can be exhausted, irate and start to lose hope without loving someone any less. Stories like Steele’s deserve to be told, not kept behind closed doors.
The Woman In The Mirror, Zoo Southside, until 30 August, 3.15pm.