Crew and Creative
Cast
Theatre
About 500 follows the story of Clem who decides to try for a child in her late 30s and how that desire can consume and ruin you if not fulfilled. The piece is based of 25 womens experiences of 25 women and feetility clinics collected by Simona Hughes. The piece is delicate and well thought through with small details that add up to create a lasting impression on the audience. One such detail is the small meringues used to represent eggs; they are thrown about and crushed at the start of the performnace but as the displayed number of eggs left decrease the crunching sound as the cast walks around is saddening. By the end Clem tries to collected them off the floor, most which have now been desecrated to a powder. The final scene admitting defeat and brushing them off the stage with a broom.
One of the most impactful elements of the show being the exerts from interviews. Showed during every transition they get progressively sadder. Along side the dwindling egg count we understand why these women feel robbed. The play explores how having fertility issues can affect relationship around the person experiencing such problems. The obsession with trying for a baby takes a toll on Clem and Luke’s relationship, he is exhausted by it and feels helpless seeing how Clem cripples herself constantly about The topic.
The relationship between Clem and her best friend Ruth is compromised; Clem not able to celebrate Ruth’s second successful pregnancy as she is envious of her position.
Overall About 500 is a simple play about a stigmatised topic. It wasn’t my cup of tea, I wish there was more visual elements to it; it was just a bit too simple for me.
Useful Link
Comments