By Catherine Bowell
Vivienne Franzmann returns to the Royal Court with her new play Bodies, which explores the human cost of surrogacy. Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t miss out on this play….
A hard-hitting approach to an ethical issue – in just 90 minutes
Alexander Molony (Boy) in Bodies at the Royal Court (Photo: Bronwen Sharp)
The insightful play addresses how far a childless, wealthy couple will go to get what they want, as well as what the cost and the consequences could really be of doing so.
It highlights the harsh reality of the international trade in surrogacy, the lack of rights of a surrogate mother in some countries (in this case in India) and the devastating effect it can have on everyone involved.
Justine Mitchell’s performance
Salma Hoque (Lakshmi) and Justine Mitchell (Clem) in Bodies at the Royal Court (Photo: Bronwen Sharp)
Justine Mitchell presents a mesmerising portrayal of a wealthy middle-class woman who is frustrated almost to breaking point, as she longs for a child, after suffering many of her own agonising failed attempts to have one.
As the play progresses, we watch her character’s downward spiral as she realises how naive and foolish she has been in believing the surrogacy arrangement would bring happiness to all involved.
Gabriella Slade’s design
Hannah Rae (Daughter) and Justine Mitchell (Clem) in Bodies at the Royal Court (Photo: Bronwen Sharp)
The set is a large and sparse room, with a slightly clinical feel. It is contrasted only by a bright yellow (empty) cot which is present throughout the play, sat in the corner of the room, taunting Clem (played by Mitchell) as a constant reminder of her childlessness.
Large sliding glass doors are cleverly used to both change scene, but also to block out Clem’s elderly father, whose health rapidly deteriorates along with his relationship with her, as he makes it clear he doesn’t approve of the surrogacy arrangement. Within the sliding panels, Slade crafts a circular screen, perhaps subtly representing an embryo or womb, onto which images are projected.
A show for many ages
Philip Goldacre (David) in Bodies at the Royal Court (Photo: Bronwen Sharp)
It is encouraging to see a mix of actors with a wide range of ages perform together on stage. Philip Goldacre’s portrayal of Clem’s elderly father is heartbreaking as we witness his character David being attended to by his carer Oni (played by Lorna Brown) as his physical condition worsens.
And without giving away any twists…there are some excellent performances from some much younger cast members as well!
It packs an emotional punch
Rohan Shinn (Boy) in Bodies at the Royal Court (Photo: Bronwen Sharp)
The play takes you on the emotional rollercoaster of childless Clem in particular, but it also touches on the emotional and disastrous effects that the surrogacy arrangement has on everyone involved.
We witness the difficulties it causes from multiple perspectives, not only for the parents-to-be, but also in terms of the sacrifices made by the surrogate mother Lakshmi (played by Salma Hoque). We are left questioning if our world of consumerism has gone too far when a human life is created and bought as a commodity.
Bodies is playing at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs until 12 August. For more information, visit the venue’s website.