Review: CAROLINE - Buxton Drama League
‘Caroline’ by Toni Saxton, is a beautifully written tale of heartbreak, guilt and loss that explores difficult issues whilst remaining engaging and thought provoking. Walking into the church hall, the setting is small yet comfy, surrounded by fairy lights and soft music, Caroline’s story begins. What I really loved about the setting was the proximity of the audience and performer. With seats set out in a circle around the coffee shop setting, the performance had an intimate feel which meant the audience became more involved, we were able to sit back and listen to each character’s story whilst forming our own opinions – an aspect which I very much enjoyed.
The story itself centres on a mother, Caroline, who, consumed with guilt, blames herself for her daughter's death. With no one else to turn to she flees to a nearby coffee shop where she meets a young barista, who is struggling with troubles of her own.
As the story develops so do the characters, we watch them come to terms with guilt, ask those heartbreaking questions that come with the unfairness of loss, and most importantly, we see them help and guide each other through the pain. The story line is a complex one, exploring the troubles of teenage love as well as the conflict surrounding family relationships, so be prepared for a roller coaster of emotion! What really stood out for me was the actors themselves – each one gave an emotive and moving performance, which I could not fault at all! With the nature of the story, the actors had to show a range of emotions, from anguish to anger and heartbreak to guilt… and they did so perfectly. Maria Carnegie, who played Caroline, truly embraced her role as a grief stricken mother and as a result her performance was convincing and heartfelt. Likewise, Ioana Voisei played the barista wonderfully – an excellent portrayal of a character that initially is there to help a grieving mother, and in the process finds help herself.
Fast paced and heart-warming, Caroline has it all! So what are you waiting for? Join in and watch her story, be there and see it unfold as the characters delve into guilt and sorrow, witness the characters grow as they come to terms with their issues. Another fantastic piece of drama from Buxton Drama League – I highly recommend.
Sarah Gunton