Joe Penhall's Blue/Orange originally premiered at the National Theatre way back in 2000, where it won an Olivier Award for Best New Play. Four recreations and 12 years on, it is once again touring the country; this time under the artistic direction of Christopher Luscombe. The stellar cast features Robert Bathurst (Downtown Abbey, Wild at Heart, Cold Feet). Oliver Wilson (Hollyoaks) and Gerard McCarthy (Titanic: Blood and Steel, The Fall, Hollyoaks).
The plot
Here is the story of young black man Christopher (Wilson), from Shepherd's Bush, who having been sectioned under the Mental Health Act after an unknown incident at his local market, is about to complete his final assessment with his consultant before returning home.
Beside him, is junior doctor Bruce (McCarthy) who has been looking after Christopher since his admission to the hospital nearly 28 days prior.
Bruce has asked his supervisor, Robert (Bathurst) to sit in on the final consultation because he is convinced Christopher is not yet ready to go home. Although he has so far been detained under the diagnosis of 'borderline personality disorder', Bruce feels Christopher is suffering something more serious – schizophrenia.
During the meeting Christopher appears to confirm his doc's concerns - he claims to be the illegitimate son of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin and that the oranges in the fruit bowl are blue inside. Still, Robert insists they should still let him return home to free up beds and because in time “he won’t know what home is any more”. He also throws in the argument that Londoners of African heritage are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness (the claim that inspired Penhall's plot), but insists if that's 'just how it is', then hospital facilities should not be unnecessarily used up in the process.
As the performance progresses, we realise supervisor Robert's ego plays a heavy part; he's insensitive, ignorant and stubborn – and will not be told how to diagnose patients by a junior. Meanwhile his contemporary, Bruce, seems calm and astute in his debate but begins to realise he can't progress at the hospital without keeping Robert on side.
As the pair fling around words; imposing their cultural theories and justifying their own opinions, the patient is continually forced to leave and renter the room; making him more confused as to his belonging in this disruption. And finally, when things get too much for the consultants, they both resort to attacking their patient directly to get their points across – Bruce because he is frustrated at Christopher's fluctuating loyalty and Robert because he sees that the patient could be of use on his new research paper “a cure for black psychosis”.
Throughout the audience are left to increasingly address their own assumptions: Who's genuine here? Who's corrupt? Who's more mad?
The verdict
Don't expect to sit back and mindlessly take in this play; its issues are raw and current; dealing with everything from simply egotism to racial prejudice, selfish ambition and realism.
You'll debate on your own who is to be trusted, then you'll discuss it with your companions during the interval. Then you'll listen in on what everyone around you thinks. Still, you won't be sure. Our debate went on into the night. This is certainly one play that will not only rouse the mind but will also make you question your own attitudes.
Oliver Wilson plays a blinder as Christopher; depicting an emotional and frustrated view of his apparent increasing insanity. Bathurst wastes no time in instilling the character of grand, powerful Robert; while McCarthy shines as the ambitious and strong-willed junior who has yet to learn how the world can manipulate.
Blue/Orange will tour Richmond Theatre between Tuesday 13 and Saturday 17 November. Tickets are available at http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/blueorange/richmond-theatre/
Photo credit: Photo: Robert Workman
