Beautiful and Brave Drama

Best bit: Seeing a more sprightly 'Father' flirting with one of his young carers - a lovely clue to the spirit he is struggling to hold on to

Any boring bits? No boring bits however some scenes are quite emotionally intense, and one or two may seem unnecessarily so

Who would like it? Theatregoers who enjoy plays that explore the complexities of human experience and relationships

Who wouldn't like it? Anyone who has a relative or friend currently struggling with dementia may find the play to be too close to home - be warned, it is very stirring.

Morning after effect: A new found appreciation of my own youth.

Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The nature of a play, as a piece of performance art, lends itself to exploring intense subjects more easily than their song-infused cousin, the musicals. And so naturally, plays dealing with complex human emotions and experiences aren't very hard to come by. That said, I think it's fair to say that watching The Father was one of the most harrowing theatre visits I've ever had. This is largely because in this brilliant and beautifully constructed play, you don't just watch a father's life deteriorate, you experience every confusion and every lost moment alongside him.

Translated from French, this award-winning play by Florian Zeller is an insightful and painful exploration of how dementia affects an individual, and the impact of this awful disease on one's family. Kenneth Cranham's portrayal of the aging father is a perfectly balanced depiction of a once independent man whose mind is starting to let him down. In some moments he’s the same confident, charming man he always was and in others he's almost child-like in his helplessness, completely lost in the distress of trying to sort his reality from fantasy.

The direction of the play is paramount to the story itself - director James Macdonald infuses Zeller's already fragmented narrative with abrupt scene transitions during which the stage is plunged into darkness, and unexpected cast changes where two people might play the same character. The effect this has on us as an audience makes the experience of watching the father's dementia even more painful to bear - we experience his confusion, we share his alienation.

Suffering alongside Cranham's father is his devoted daughter, played by Claire Skinner, who has to endure his mood swings and ultimately make the impossible decision on how to proceed with his welfare. My only criticism for The Father relates to some scenes between the two of them - certain aspects of their relationship seem to be played out on stage for their added emotional impact rather than them being essential to our understanding of the story, or of their past.

This production of The Father is an innovative exploration of a sensitive subject that uses technology very subtly to help intensify the drama. It is well-deserving of its West End transfer from the Ustinov Studios in Bath (where is had its UK premiere) to the Wyndham's Theatre, and this is no doubt largely attributed to its exceptional cast and creative team remaining intact. A highly recommended piece of drama that will deeply move every theatregoer it touches.

Reviewed by Wendy van de Weg

Thursday 1st October 2015
Wyndhams Theatre, London
Find me on Twitter: @_londontheatre_

View our show pages for more information about The Father, Duke of Yorks Theatre.