Lyndsey GormleyBlue/Orange is a witty, brutal and thought provoking piece of theatre that takes an honest look at corruption of power and the treatment of mental health, it also attempts to bridge the gaps of sanity and insanity.
This superbly cast performance excelled in its comedic timing and each of the three leading cast members managed to engage on a completely different level.
Chris (Lekan Lawall) a young, black male growing in Shepherds Bush is portrayed as the victim of the corrupt system, very in-keeping with the early naughties response to new Labour. Chis, keen to get out to the outside world, is gradually toyed with as his trainee psychiatrist; seemly suffering from “Dead Poet’s Society” syndrome wants to change his life and cure him of his mental illness. Jonathan Race’s psychiatrist however comes up against the system, lack of hospital beds and a questionable senior consultant.
Michael Beckley’s senior consultant is superb. His levels of seething ambition, apparent insanity and scathing, Machiavellian corruption compel the viewer from first introduction. It would be so easy to overplay such a character, yet Beckley plays the character with such expert ease that his mannerisms and body language make compelling viewing,
All three actors were truly on their game with a phenomenal energy which continued throughout. Consultant Robert Smith’s performance took the audience on a real journey through the ‘procedures’ of psychiatric care, offering a chilling insight into the hierarchal system within the Health profession. His wit, and awkward nature, formulated perfectly through incredible scriptwriting, became truly unnerving as we see the lengths a person is willing to go for success.
On until 19 May this performance is certainly not to be missed. Quite easily one of York Theatre Royal’s performances of the year.
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