SEPARATION
OCTAGON BOLTON
Until Saturday, May 10

A PLAY about a woman with a degenerative illness and a man with agoraphobia might not sound like the basis for an entertaining and uplifting night at the theatre.

But thanks to superb writing, a skilled cast of just two and expert direction, Separation is exactly that.

Being staged at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, until May 10, it tells the story of Sarah Wise, a young American actress with a degenerative illness who calls English agoraphobic playwright Joe Green for permission to perform his play.

They strike up an unlikely friendship, as one strives to overcome her physical disability while the other seems to be overwhelmed by his mental illness.

They develop a close and caring relationship through a series of warm, honest and open transatlantic telephone calls but can they cut loose and go the distance?

Clare Foster is wonderful to watch as the gutsy and inspirational Sarah, channelling the character’s strength, passion, humour and positivity.

She is totally convincing using a pair of crutches to move around the stage, with its simple but effective set split into Sarah’s bedroom and Joe’s lounge.

With her American drawl and ‘80s throwback clothes, she appears a contrast to the other character she is currently playing at the Octagon.  

Separation is being performed in repertoire with Duet for One – the better-known of Tom Kempinski’s plays – which sees the audience immersed in the therapy sessions of world famous violinist Stephanie Abrahams who has been suddenly struck down with multiple sclerosis (MS).

In it, Rob Edwards plays a level-headed, kind but uncompromising therapist but in Separation he is a virtually house-bound writer prone to unreasonable outbursts.

Performing the two plays together – the first time it has been done by the same cast – may sound like an unenviable task but Clare and Rob make it look effortless.

While both plays can easily be enjoyed individually, see both the intense Duet for One and charming Separation for a more enriching experience.

Or even just to see how the two talented actors tackle the roles, which have hope at their core, with gusto.

Separation and Duet for One, directed by Elizabeth Newman, run until May 10.