The Woman from the North

Bernard MacLaverty's play takes us to a place and puts us in a position where we don't want to be. It this a horror tale, a suspense? Perhaps it has elements of both. Yet it is about something as common as growing old. In this, it is growing old and powerless. It is confronting a powerlessness when Cassie still feels that she has power, and deserves autonomy. She is sharp and observant. It's just that she forgets things. She only wants to live in her own home with her own things rather than this or another institution. But really she is one of the fortunate ones. Her son has a good job in computers and always a new car so he can probably put her somewhere nice if that is what needs to happen after this evaluation at this place where the doors are never locked and anyone can come in. Yes it will be a nice place if necessary, but does that lessen the horror of it all? I think not.
This play is quite, and rather interior, very effective and sad. I enjoy plays that face up to the issues of the elderly head on. And whatever will happen to me. . .?

The Woman from the North can be found on The Afternoon Play BBC Radio 4 page and is available through Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007. On the The Afternoon Play page click on the Thursday button.