Pandemic posers
Mrs Delgado, at the Old Fire Station, Oxford From December 8 to 21
SO, during the pandemic lockdown, you notice a neighbour is breaking the law by leaving the home for non-essential reasons and not social distancing.
What do you do? Be a snitch and call the police? Give the rule-breaker a piece of your mind? Try and convince the person to change their behaviour by explaining how these actions threaten the health of others and could overburden he NHS? Or do nothing?
This dilemma is the premise of Mike Bartlett’s new play, performed live at the Old Fire Station, but also filmed for home audiences.
Clare Lizzimore’s production is narrated by a young woman
(Ellen Robertson) who takes a non-judgemental stance about her characters. The narrator views events through the eyes of another young woman, Helen, who lives alone in a flat, has no enduring relationships and orders takeaway pizzas to eat by herself.
Helen has already had a close encounter with the law by inviting a man back to her place, but recoiled in panic when she realised it wasn’t possible to maintain social distancing whilst having sex with the stranger.
Helen becomes obsessed by an elderly woman who lives over the road, Mrs Delgado, whom she assumes is a 60s Bohemian. This lady appears not to socially distance from visitors who include delivery drivers and other utility workers.
Helen becomes fascinated by her neighbour, counting people in and out of Mrs Delgado’s place. Is Mrs Delgado willingly breaking the law or, because of her advanced age, is she unaware of her new pandemic obligations? Is it ethical for Helen to assume the role of a ‘low level vigilante’?
Robertson, stepping into the role unexpectedly, but a regular in OFS Christmas shows, is an engaging storyteller, gripping the audience with this modern morality tale. Bartlett sets up a twist that thrillingly turns the tables on the younger woman. A street party organised by Mrs Delgado offers not only reconciliation but a better life for both women. The locked down community emerges from isolation to show itself as cohesive and caring. Excellent, relevant and heartwarming.