Blue/Orange
Ustinov Studio, Bath
WHEN this play was first presented in 2000 those in charge of mental health were still in the process of moving those with mental health problems from old-fashioned closed hospitals to life in the community.
One of the ideas behind the move, to prevent people becoming institutionalised, was an excellent one. Unfortunately, because the scheme was, like so many others underfunded, some of those who left the security of a hospital environment found themselves worse off in the community than they had been in one of the old-fashioned institutions.
When we first meet Christopher, a young black psychiatric patient on the verge of leaving hospital to return to the community, he is excited at the prospect of a new life. Quickly we learn that Bruce, the equally young white doctor in charge of his case, strongly believes that he is not yet ready for this momentous move. Enter Robert, a black consultant, the head of department, and therefore Bruce’s boss. After talking to all concerned, he comes to the belief that Christopher would be better off back in the community.
What starts as a straightforward argument of medical opinions widens into a clash between the two doctors as to the way in which either decision about Christopher’s future will affect their own chances of climbing higher up the medical ladder. As these arguments swing to and fro, racism as well as medical opinion coming into the argument, Christopher is left like a human punchball, in turn angry, frightened and utterly confused as both men try to bend him to their will.
For two hours as the motives of each character is revealed Michael Balogun, Ralph Davis and Giles Terera bring Christopher, Bruce and Robert so vividly to life that at the end of the play you are not just wondering, but genuinely concerned as to what the future holds for all three.
Director James Dacre keeps the action tight, making clever use of a plain grey set containing three upright chairs, a water cooler, and a low round table with a bowl of oranges on it, which Christopher is convinced are the colour blue inside and out.