Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin, The Nuffield (From Daily Echo)

Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin, The Nuffield

11:24am Thursday 10th November 2011 in Stage Reviews By Sally Churchward, Senior Feature Writer

MEMOIRS of a Biscuit Tin is a brilliant, moving piece of theatre.

It takes us into the confusing, disjointed world of dementia seen through the eyes of an abandoned house.

It is striking, moving and thoughtprovoking.

Brightly coloured memories of a happy – and sad – life punctuate the 60- minute performance.

Incredibly clever, the production is also very accessible, creative but not even slightly pretentious.

The three performers and joint artistic directors of company Maison Foo combine mime, puppetry, a little dance and a lot of soul to bring Mrs Benjamin to life for the audience.

The set and staging are very impressive – productions with bigger budgets could learn a lot from Maison Foo.

The show is touring in partnership with Dementia UK and the creators spent time with elderly hospital patients, capturing their memories and experiences.

“No one here has a flaming clue who she really is!” shouts one character.

In everyday life we see a frail, perhaps irritating, old woman, who may get in our way.

But the scraps of her memories – stored in the biscuit tin of the title – reveal the lively young woman she used to be.

She could be one of us – or someone we love.

This is a must-see – as a piece of theatre, as an insight into dementia and because you are unlikely to leave without resolving to spend more time with an older person you care about.

This wonderful piece of theatre is at The Nuffield until Saturday. Book your ticket now.