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For All I Care

For All I Care is, first and foremost, the story of two women. It is, however, also about the current state of the National Health Service and the promise made by its founders. First: Clara, shoplifting items requested by "the Devil" (aka local brute Diane) who sets herself on fire in a high street changing room. Second: mental health nurse Nyri, sleeping with a policeman half her age, and mourning the death of her mother.

Harris's script is sharp, characterful and full of lovely little details.

The nub of the story is when Clara becomes the patient to whom Nyri believes she has a duty of care, even though – sooner rather than later – the health authorities decide that Clara is a "low-risk" patient, meaning she is a possible threat to herself, but not the wider public. Nevertheless she is unfortunately taking up a bed in a "medium-risk" unit. An added complication comes when Diane gets involved with Nyri's uncommunicative teenage son, possibly providing him with drugs. However, this is essentially a subplot to the central story of two women trying to make sense of the world and their roles in it.

Alan Harris's script is sharp, characterful and full of lovely little details: Nyri remembering her dying mother, for example, her "breaths out longer than breaths in," before they finally stopped; the slightly-nauseating, just-following-procedures boss, constantly clicking his pen; Clara's lightly-given assertion that "I don’t believe in anything because I can't afford to". Director Jac Ifan Moore has come up with a simple device to indicate when characters other than Clara or Nyri are speaking: performer Hannah Daniel simply speaks into one of three microphones hanging down from the ceiling in an otherwise dark, near-empty stage.

There is, however, one all-too obvious problem with this minimal staging. It is true that performer Hannah Daniel succinctly distinguishes between Clara and Nyri using little more than a pair of sunglasses, accent, and subtle body posture—we never doubt who we're watching at any given moment. It's an excellent performance, but unfortunately marred by a lack of projection, especially in such a large performance space where noisy air-conditioning is a constant distraction. Long story short: Daniel needs to be miked up.

Reviews by Paul Fisher Cockburn

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Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
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Performances

Location

The Blurb

Clara and Nyri. Two very different women. Two complicated lives. Both having a very bad day. Mental health nurse Nyri's woken up hungover with a younger man. Meanwhile, Clara has developed a compulsive wink and can't remember if she's taken her meds. Nyri needs to get to Ebbw Vale Hospital via Greggs and Clara is dodging signs telling her – rather rudely – to kill herself, so she can get cracking with her shoplifting list for the Devil. Interweaving and unexpected connections collide in this fast-moving, touchingly funny one-woman show by Alan Harris.
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