2019
Review: Wisdom Club – a glorious tale of friendship and independence. Premiered at Bury Theatre Royal
PUBLISHED: 13:19 04 February 2019
Liz Crowther as Megan and Souad Faress as Rani in The Wisdom Club which is being premiered at Bury Theatre Royal Photo: Tony Kelly
The Wisdom Club, by Danusia Iwaszko, Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds until Saturday February 9th. When writing is this well observed and the acting so beautifully natural, it is less like watching a performance and more like simply watching people living their lives - albeit so much funnier in the case of new play, The Wisdom Club. This is a wonderfully - and worryingly - relatable story which carries a message about how the older generation is undervalued and dismissed, but all wrapped up in a witty, touching tale of friendship and possibility. Liz Crowther is brilliant as the now redundant grandmother, Megan, who has so much more to give but, with no outlet, is primed for a mad moment in Marks and Spencer.
‘THE WISDOM CLUB’ AT THEATRE ROYAL REVIEW
Polka Dot Theatre Blog.
Written by Danusia Iwaszko, this play was a really interesting one to both watch (it was so funny, honestly) and learn about. Everyone we spoke to passionately told us the back story of this show (developed with and from workshops with the elderly), but the ‘USP’ of this show was the fact it was written with real, genuine people in mind – something that’s really clear to see. The characters are three-dimensional and every interaction between them feels honest and true. The intention of this show was to challenge society’s perception of ‘old people’ and it could not have done a better job.
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REVIEW: The Wisdom Club at Bury St Edmunds’ Theatre Royal
Hilarious, uplifting and thoroughly human, The Wisdom Club shines a much-needed spotlight on the plight of Britain’s ageing population. This charming production follows a group of characters who find solace at a struggling coffee club as they navigate the pitfalls of their autumn years. It is the product of two years’ work by writer Danusia Iwaszko, who visited day centres, drop-ins, coffee mornings and held workshops to hear people’s life experiences to assemble this gem of a play. From Megan’s escapade in Marks & Spencer and her relationship with her daughter Susanna to Rani’s campaign for grey power, their thought-provoking journey is laced with bittersweet nostalgia but a stirring air of possibility. It is a heart-warming reminder that there is value in experience.