In this one woman show by Renee Lyons, accidental hero Nick tells the remarkable true story of Nick Chisholm, a New Zealand native who suffered a brain stem stroke and his recovery from this life changing event.
Lyons' performance is excellent as she transitions seamlessly between the various characters that she creates. Whether its her finding the right blend of concern and laddishness of Nick's friend Boyd or bringing to life a relatable and well thought out mother character; she does it all with aplomb. It is nuanced performances such as these that draws the audience in and gets them to invest emotionally. The only character I was not wholly sold on was that of the Korean nurse who acted as the narrator. Whilst she certainly got her fair share of laughs she felt a little caricatured and was the only character that didn’t feel fleshed out. Furthermore, I did at times struggle to distinguish between the characters of Boyd and Liam (another of Nick's friends), which whilst not crucial to the plot did detract a little from the overall feel of the piece.
The play excellently illustrated the difficulties that go into recovering from such a debilitating and sudden event, as well as the issues that those closest to the patient feel. A truly touching example of this is when Boyd feels it is his duty as Nick's best mate to ask the question: does he want to continue to live, or does he want his help to die? This moment, as with many others in the play, felt genuine and tender.
This is a play that the audience can’t help but become invested in as Lyons' performance draws them in but it is the incredible story of Nick that keeps them watching. Heartwarming and uplifting, it will leave you with the fuzziest of warm fuzzy feelings.
