Roe McDonnell
Kelly, a dementia carer in Rhyl (and daughter of two Tom Jones tribute acts), is brilliant at her job. Going through the motions without a care in the world. However, when she receives her own life-altering news, she spirals out of control and risks losing everything and everyone she knows.
Kimberley Hart-Simpson brings the story to life of a working class, young woman through her life with her family, friends and her life working at a dementia care home. She has passion and connection to the audience around her and the story she was telling. She plays each character with great connection to the text itself. Her characterisations can sometimes blend into each other but the captions at the particular performance I attended help decipher between them in those moments
It’s a show that brings representation into working class Welsh culture in Rhyl which we don’t see a lot. Also, being one of the few Welsh shows that are at the Fringe this year, it amplifies the importance of these stories by these communities being told. The references that are pulled from Kimberley’s childhood shows pride in her upbringing and the city she is representing. We are able to bring ourselves into her world that she builds.
I felt as I watched the show, the plot itself became quite predictable, you knew what was coming. As one thing led to another you could already see how the play was going to end and what the situational triggers were going to be that would change her which made it an ‘easy’ watch and partially underwhelming but it still got you in the emotional parts when it needed to.
This is a show for anyone who has been impacted by dementia and how life keeps going. The representation it’s giving to these communities in this day and age will forever be important.
You can catch Amnesia at the Pleasance Courtyard until 31 Aug at 16:25 (60 Minutes). Tickets are available to book through the Edinburgh Fringe Box Office website.
Hannah Hamilton
Romeo Lau
