Speechless - you just might be (From Northwich Guardian)

Speechless - you just might be

10:25am Friday 25th November 2011 in Theatre & arts By Rick Bowen

IF you go down to The Lowry this week, you’re sure of a big surprise.

Especially if you make the mistake of taking children to see Speechless, the unsettling story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, the so-called “silent twins.”

This is very grown up stuff, about two girls who refused to speak to adults and yet never stopped communicating with each other in their own private language. And it’s a true story.

It’s a fascinating subject and while some of the scenes in the play will leave you totally transfixed, I felt it tried too hard to shock rather than educate the audience. I left the theatre desperate to know why these young ladies, bubblier than volcanoes when in each other company, clammed up whenever an adult tried to engage them in conversation or an activity designed to bring them out of their silent shells.

The only professional we get to hear from is the girl’s psychiatrist, who tries so valiantly to solve this linguistic mystery.

It’s a shame this play has the afore mentioned shortcomings, as the performances of Demi Oyediran and Natasha Gordon as June and Jennifer couldn’t be more heartfelt. Anita Reynolds is very convincing as their long suffering mum, Gloria.

Enid Blyton this definitely is not and the play also contains strong language.

* Until November 26. The box office is on 0843 208 6000. Star rating - **