Writer: Rae Mainwaring
Director: Tessa Walker
Bright Places is “an urgent exploration of Multiple Sclerosis; not to be confused with M&S or S&M” The three 
are very different to one another, and you might be forgiven for thinking that a play which delves deeply into the symptoms, emotions and lived experiences of those diagnosed with MS might be too much to handle. Rae Mainwaring’s play is far more creative and inspiring than that; it truly takes us on a journey that educates and explores the dark sides of MS, while seamlessly injecting fun, comedy, glittery costumes, and the best 90s pop classics. There’s even a mention of ‘Maccies on the ramp’
Mainwaring’s play is about her own experiences with MS following a diagnosis in her early 20s. Three actors are used on stage to share Rae’s journey, all using the name Louise. Despite them representing one main character, having three actors brings a lot more energy for a play which is intended to be uplifting and empowering that may have been more challenging to achieve in a one-person monologue. The way that the three interact with each other makes many moments in the story light-hearted and comedic, with a notable example being Louise’s experiences with the “very hot doctor”. The cast is also able to step into smaller roles with ease to help document Rae/Louise’s journey more clearly.
Mainwaring and director Tessa Walker have done a fine job in balancing out the comedic moments with darker and more personal scenes. Both are integral to this production as the energy and taboo humour engage us with ease, but grasping a clear understanding of what Louise is going through over time really makes us connect with her journey. The more emotional aspects of the play come in the form of explosive monologues where we witness all of the bottled-up emotions come to the surface as Louise desperately wishes for her old life back. While it may have been easier to conclude the play in a way that leaves the audience reflecting on Louise’s sadness, they have chosen to focus on how she can find acceptance and brightness in her life as time goes on.
A creative scene which should be applauded is the game show to find the “best bloody ill person”. It is playful and light-hearted but the word association game brings a vivid and descriptive insight into the feelings that Louise is going through. Captioning is used throughout the play for inclusivity, but Virginie Taylor lives up to her role as ‘Creative Caption Designer’ at key moments in the play. The game show scene is certainly one of those.
The three Louises bounce off each other exceptionally well. Lauren Foster, Aimee Berwick and Rebecca Holmes are professional in the way they are able to transition between the lighter and darker moments in the play. Ultimately, they all achieve the aim of engaging us in understanding more about MS as an illness and how it can be misunderstood entirely. While the play focuses around the playwright’s experiences, Holmes’ herself was diagnosed with MS at 21, making the play even more personal and important for those involved.
Bright Places is playful, energetic, moving and emotional in equal measure. You will leave educated about MS, and inspired by Louise’s journey. Mainwaring intended for this piece of theatre to be a more positive and relatable exploration of MS and it certainly achieves that.
Runs until 2 November 2024 and on tour
