Review: Floating at The Unity Theatre, Liverpool

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In Floating, Sam Freeman’s first foray into writing a play surrounding a serious topic, the author has not missed a single chance to engage with his audience. Indeed it can be guaranteed that, on leaving the Unity Theatre, there is not a single person who will not have identified with one or more aspects of Susannah Freeman’s astonishingly good portrayal of the unnamed High Dependency Unit Nurse as she recounts aspects of her day, good and bad.

Inspired by a conversation with a friend who works in an HDU, Freeman set about interviewing other staff and patients and so has created an in depth snapshot of the role from both sides of the story. That there are highs and lows is inevitable – the drunken thugs who threaten and harass the staff trying to help their friends and the middle class “tax payers” who threaten to sue at the drop of a hat, sit nicely alongside those others who are genuinely grateful for the diligent care they receive – but it is in Susannah’s delivery of this superb script that really shines as the actor takes on varying roles to emphasise her points.

The set – a simple armchair and a coffee table bedecked with cards and photographs – is all that is required, as the highly effective lighting adds and removes layers of atmosphere in a manner that lifts the viewer from their seat and places them in each individual situation with ease. An atmosphere which is increased still further by the bickering of politicians “promising” changes and support for NHS employees that never seem to materialise, and the resonant sound of heart monitors and breathing equipment adding reality.

There is only one element that is a little confusing as far as plot is concerned and this regards old Mr. S’s wife who sits by his side, day and night, waiting for him to recover, but this aside Floating remains a quite exquisite play that for poignancy, dramatic effect, empathy, sympathy, pathos and understanding ticks all the boxes and more.

Floating
Unity Theatre, Liverpool
May 29 – May 30, 2012
Author & Director: Sam Freeman
Producer: Lives of Others Theatre
Cast: Susannah Freeman
Running Time: 1 hr