Greenwich Theatre is a new theatre for me to visit, it’s also not too far from me! I was happy to be asked to review We live by the sea.

Until now I had only been to either professional shows with “celebrities” or the opposite end of my cousin’s college play. I had never heard of A ‘Fringe’ play, but it was about a young girl called Katy (Alex Brain) and her (imaginary) dog, Paul Williams (played by Lizzie Grace), she lives with her sister Hannah (played by Alexandra Simonet) When a lonely boy, called Rhyan moved from the city to the coast.

Katy who we met at the start greeted us by just asking us to touch our shoes three times, and then we were allowed into the intimate studio room.

We Live By The Sea was a sellout! Which, was good to see, particularly since The National Autistic Society devised this play with The Greenwich Theatre.

Being a mum, to two girls on the Autistic Spectrum from two age groups. Seeing Katy tell her story was most definitely was an eye-opener.

However, please be prepared to take tissues as my heart ached for the sensory overload, the director Alex Howarth and the Patch Of Blue team did an excellent job.

To bring my senses to the show to see, feel and hear on a different level. I already live it, but to see it performed and presented to me and KK was truly informative.

Katy, Rhyan and Hannah! not forgetting Paul Williams the imaginary dog were fantastic and worked so good together.

How being autistic is portrayed

we live by the sea and Katys (Alex Brain) acting, KK asked me if she had autism or not.
I have to say after the show had finished like Katy had regressed into Alex,
the transition from the character she played to herself was remarkable,
and I have to say it blew KK and ME away.
The funny thing was Katy went loopy over KK’s shoes, they were furry flip flops,
and two people were wearing them, she liked the shoes hehe.
Given that this show was to raise awareness of Autism,
I found it surprising when KK wanted her minstrels she waited patiently for her chocolate.
When she finished the small bag KK handed me the empty wrapper,
I put in my bag to have two rather rude ladies turn their heads and tell me to ‘shut up’
quite funny actually and contradictory.

After it had finished and the tears stopped, we were able to meet the cast and talk with them,
they truly all are a lovely team and followed their hearts with this one I found out that Ryan ( Tom Coliandris ) works with young people with autism,
so his character building was fantastic for the part
There is no surprise that it was nominated for a Fringe first.
It was also picked as one of the top memorable theatre moments of 2016 in the New York Times.
won three awards at Adelaide FringE, including the prestigious Graham F.
Smith Peace Foundation Award promoting human rights through theatre.
Also nominated for best production and best Ensemble at @offwestendcom Offies award
You can catch the show up until 29th July 2017

at Greenwich theatre
But be quick as they are almost all sold out!!

Five Star Rating

Contact Links

 Www.patchofbluetheatre.co.uk

@patch_of_blue

Patchofbluetheatre@gmail.com