At its best, theatre allows us to inhabit the lives of others. It lets us see the world through other eyes, walk in other shoes, expanding our understanding and our empathy. Bright Places takes us into the mind of someone living with multiple sclerosis (MS), and if it is not always successful in its efforts, deserves huge credit for taking on such a complex challenge with wit, grace and originality.
Writer Rae Mainwaring was diagnosed with MS in her early twenties, and Bright Places is primarily the story of her initial efforts to come to terms with this life-changing development. For anyone not aware, the play simply explains what MS is and how it is caused – an autoimmune condition where the coating (myelin) that protects the nerves becomes damaged. This causes a range of symptoms, from blurred vision to painful pins and needles, problems with coordination and all-encompassing exhaustion.
Rae’s story is told through the character of Lou, brought to life by Aimee Berwick, Lauren Foster and Rebecca Holmes. This multiplicity allows us to see inside Lou’s head, with the actors comfortably interchanging between Lou, Lou’s internal monologue and other characters.
All three performers are enjoyable to watch, but Aimee Berwick stands out as the most dynamic and nuanced. She best captures the conflicting emotions surging through Lou, with tears always seeming to sit behind her smiles.
All three actors also have the opportunity to play Myleene, a vision in pink personifying the damaged myelin sheath which causes the symptoms of MS. Sometimes bold and brassy, sometimes insidious and underhand, Myleene pops up to try and tear apart Lou’s life at inopportune moments. It is only as Lou starts to get a better understanding of the condition and begins to talk openly to friends and professionals that she is able to put Myleene back in her box and come to terms with living with MS.
The constant shifting of actors from part to part is explained in a long metatextual introduction, and the fourth wall is frequently broken throughout. This can create something of a distance between the audience and actors, robbing the story of some of its power.
While most of the dialogue is snappy and often funny, some can feel a bit like a lecture. A digression into the social model of disability would be more powerful as a dramatic illustration. The narrative is also not always clear, as timeframes jump about and some plot points are set running but seemingly forgotten about.
Perhaps this is supposed to invoke the chaos and confusion of learning to live with MS. The production’s breathless staging certainly packs a lot in, with loud pop songs soundtracking raucous singing and dancing. Within a few minutes of the play’s opening, the stage is littered with shiny ribbons, and costumes and props appear and disappear at a frantic rate.
Bright Places is a bold and ambitious attempt to bring understanding to multiple sclerosis. Its invisibility, its come-and-go nature and its individuality – everybody experiences MS differently – make it a treacherously difficult subject to get to grips with. Along with director Tessa Walker and the cast, Rae Mainwaring’s ambitious play is a joyous attempt to throw some bright light on this devastating and complex condition.
Performed at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Running time: 75 minutes, no interval
Runs until Friday 8 November, then on tour to Exeter, Leicester, Dorchester, London, Taunton and Crediton
Written by Rae Mainwaring
Directed by Tessa Walker
Designer: Debbie Duru
Sound Designer: Clive Meldrum
Lighting Designer: Holly Ellis
Cast: Aimee Berwick, Lauren Foster and Rebecca Holmes