Cancer and comedy aren't common companions, but in Katie Arnstein's wonderfully funny, rich, and heartwarming story, they somehow make comfortable bedfellows.
It all begins with the cancer diagnosis of her mum, Jane. From there, via some amiable, captivating, and humorous storytelling, Katie lets us in to her newly discovered world of bowel cancer coffee mornings and waiting room characters at the Derby Royal Hospital as she and Jane go on a literal and metaphorical journey to "beat" cancer.
Over the course of an hour or so, Katie regales us with her thoughts and feelings, constantly making us laugh with her funny turns of phrase and silly jokes, but at no point does she trivialise the serious issues or the suffering her mother and others were/are going through.
Though presented in a single act, the 'second half' of the piece is largely devoted to her burgeoning friendship with George, one of the characters she meets in the hospital.
While still maintaining a humorous undercurrent, George's story has moments where your heart strings are well and truly tugged at as we are told all the about the source of his heartbreak and why he does what he does. I appreciate that sounds slightly cryptic, but it's difficult not to give the game away.
Touching, hopeful, and at times heartbreaking, but frequently punctuated by Katie's jovial humour and multiple pop culture references, it's a beautifully written and presented piece by the most charming of performers.
The Long Run played for just a single night in Norwich, but plays at a number of venues across the country. Hopefully it won't be long before Katie Arnstein brings this wonderful show back to East Anglia. Visit katiearnstein.com for details of dates and tickets.
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