“Forgetfulness Therapy” by Emma Collingwood
Nottingham New Theatre

Have you ever wanted to skip the mourning process, well in this play, technology has made that possible. In fact via Forgetfulness Therapy you can simply forget anyone and anything.

A glimpse into the future or some dark secret right now? Who can tell? This story gives nothing away as to when it is set but leaves this for the watcher to decide.

This could be a frightening option or could give release from a traumatic past event, and I can see the pros and cons for this therapy. Should this kind of therapy ever exist, or exists!

Dot is trying to eradicate all memories of her late husband, Luca and ropes in a reluctant sister-in-law, Margot, but Margot doesn’t buy into this and wants to make sure that Dot remembers Luca forever, But are there other reasons as to why Dot wants to forget her late husband? And as the story unfolds, we see there is also a darker reason as to why Margot is so against Dot receiving this therapy.

A new piece of theatre,and I love it when I don't know where a story is going, but in this story, with a series of flashback scenes, you discover the whole story.

It's very modern sci-fi with this possible process and also the idea of robot companion dating via an app blur the edges of the present and the future.

Esther Townsend plays Dot, and you can almost see regret in her character's eyes but is adamant that she is going to carry on with this therapy. There was a really sweet section where Dot and Luca were kids which then led to their later meeting at a party, and subsequently rolled into their wedding dance, Etta James' "At Last", choreographed by Caitlin Clancy.

Sofia Bassani is Margot, Dot's sister-in-law, and an equally interesting character, especially when we discover the reason why Margot is so against Dot's therapy.

Laura Finckh plays Dr Walshe who is the doctor who is providing this forgetfulness therapy. A very convincing character who succeeds with empathy and also a wry line in comedy.

Nicholas Landon plays Luca, the deceased husband. His story is told in the flashbacks, but he also has some secrets that would have died with him if not for one person.......

Mathilda, who is Dot's mother and the key to unravelling the past of the three family members. Mathilda is played by Natalia Gonzalez-Morales and this is a powerful debut for Natalia with NNT.

Co-Directed by Emma Collingwood and Sally Nesbitt, and produced by Emily Grote, I loved how they kept the big reveal as such a jaw dropping secret. Something I for one did not see coming at all. You knew that something was not quite all together but not knowing what the missing link was, made this one of those bolt from the blue moments.

Joe Strickland's Lighting Design separated the scenes simply but effectively and also gave a sci-fi feel to the end scene.

A good sound design by Martin Tomlinson created that world outside the performing space, but there were just a couple of slightly late sound cues but nothing to worry about.

I always watch for little details and so many local theatre and professional productions, for me, often fall down on realism. Just small things like having a meal and there being no food on the plate or having a drink and no drink in the glass. I was so chuffed to see that when hot drinks were made, kettles were boiled and an actual drink was made, with real tea. Little things make all the difference so thanks for looking after the little things which added to the realism of this piece of theatre.

I'm so glad that I was able to get to see this play on it's last night. A night that found the New Theatre turning away people wanting to see it due to it being sold out.