What a superb play Homeland, performed at Kāpiti Playhouse, was. From the moment Ken (Peter Carr), that frail and pathetic shadow of a man, stumbled onto the stage we were emotionally involved with him.
Cold practicality demanded that he ‘went into a home’ even though his true home was the house and farm that he was a part of with its lifetime of memories.
But when you reach a stage when the only decisions you get to make are what kind of biscuits you want, and your children and in-laws talk down to you all the time then you are bound to give in.
The one character who came to understand was his grand daughter Sophie (Stevie Metin), a teenage perpetual pouter.
She was also struggling to be taken seriously, a fraternity of fringe people if you like. She looked and lived the part. Stevie must be kept on in theatre, it needs her.
And Peter Carr rose to the occasion with his direction and portrayal of Ken when the original Ken became sick.
This was not just entertainment but a relevant role-play.
What do we do with our elderly and infirm parents? In this role-play everyone gets to identify with a character and sees themselves reacting, hurt and hurting, compassionate and practical, and driven to accept certain inevitabilities.
I don’t want to do it but I must.
Extremely well done and timely.
