Backstroke
15 March 2025
Donmar Warehouse
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Backstroke, running at the Donmar Warehouse until 12 April, is a very emotionally heavy story of an ageing mother, a struggling daughter, and their interwoven bond through the years. Celia Imrie and Tamsin Greig play the mother and daughter respectively, strongly leading through a whirlwind of emotion.
“Just let go. Let your body float. You’ll still be here but it’ll feel like flying in a dream.”
Busy London writer Bo struggles with raising her own young daughter who displays challenging behaviours, but tries to visit her ageing mother regularly. Beth is a strong-headed, artistic, free spirit who refuses to let her failing memory get in the way of living. But when Beth has a devastating stroke, Bo has to make some difficult decisions in her care needs, while grappling with memories of her unusual mother’s influence on her own life.
The story is unfolding in scenes from Bo’s childhood and youth, slowly unravelling the delicate bond between Beth and Bo, and the difficulties they both faced throughout the years. Seamlessly transitioning from a frail, ailing woman in a hospital bed to a boisterous, effervescent character dancing through life, Celia Imrie expertly embodies the many different decades of Beth without missing a beat. Going from larger than life to barely holding on, the breadth of emotion displayed is breathtaking. Tamsin Greig utterly enchants with an astounding ability to go from 5 to 50 years in a heartbeat, changing her voice and demeanour so perfectly, it is a masterclass of acting!
Beautifully presented, this heartbreaking story touches deeply, not leaving a single dry eye in the house by its conclusion. Backstroke is emotionally challenging in all the right ways, respectfully tackling difficult topics from parental manipulation to dementia and end-of-life care. With a soft hand and stunning acting talent, it’s the most deeply impactful show of the year so far!
