The Sum of Us (WA) - Newspaper review

Up until about 3 years ago, I always used to get a little nervous going to a local theatre production. It’s a little bit like Forrest Gump’s Chocolates, "you never know what you gonna get". But when I saw Chris Thomas act in Frankenstein the other year, I soon realized that if he was going to be in a show then it’s definitely worth going to see. So when the tickets for “The Sum of Us” were released I booked 4 tickets for the final night straight away. I don’t think there’s any need to go into the details of the show as they are listed and reviewed very well in the review above. I’m no professional critic and not the best writer, but I wanted to point out a few little things that I loved about it... I thought that the backdrops and scenery were sensational. Never would I have thought to have rotating walls. I couldn’t believe that when I was sitting there, it felt like I was sitting in the living room, not to mention that I felt like I was sitting out side on the bench and looking in at the lamp in the house.. Even the familiar sound of the night crickets when they sit outside was heard. I was so wrapped up in the acting. That I thought to myself "I wonder if someone heated that food up for the guys, or was it real whiskey they have in there?" Every character did so well and I was captivated through out the whole show. Every little detail covered, it was great. But the main thing I wanted to share was the effect it had on a friend of mine... As I walked out the theatre and turned around, he was crying... So I pulled him aside and said "what’s wrong?" He said to me that when he was about 5 he had always thought that his great granddad (who had a stroke) just didn’t understand him when he went to say hello. Not giving it much of a thought until tonight he realized that his great granddad could understand and he finally put himself in those shoes and wondered what it would be like to be his great granddad looking at his Great Grandson and not being able to say anything. SO thank you to the cast and crew for this Play. And performing it with so much dedication and so much passion that moved us all so much and taught us or reminded us of the important lessons in life. To think outside the square in so many different situations that affects us emotionally, physically or mentally. What a great production guys. Can’t wait till the next one!! Cheers Hayley.