A Tupperware of Ashes review: Muddled Alzheimer’s play is a tough slog
Tanika Gupta’s play “A Tupperware of Ashes” follows the story of Queenie, a mother whose mind is disintegrating as her children rally around her. Queenie, who hails from Calcutta and achieved success by setting up a Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK, goes on a heartbreaking journey from forgetting names and burning dinner to her Alzheimer’s diagnosis and the inevitable scattering of her ashes.
The play intertwines three distinct themes: a modern twist on King Lear, exploring the challenges faced by Gupta and her peers as their mothers battle dementia, and shedding light on the experiences of South Asian migrants growing old in a foreign land. These themes, while intriguing, compete for attention in a production that struggles to bring them together cohesively.
Meera Syal delivers a powerful performance as Queenie, portraying her character’s decline from a strong-willed matriarch to a vulnerable figure with sensitivity. Gupta adds complexity to Queenie by infusing moments of cruelty in her dialogue, blurring the lines between the impact of Alzheimer’s and Queenie’s true nature.
As Queenie’s children grapple with caring for her amidst her deteriorating condition, the play delves into dark and poignant moments that highlight the harsh realities of dementia. Despite the heavy subject matter, Gupta infuses moments of humour throughout, offering brief respites from the bleak narrative.
While the production may lack emotional depth at times, it shines in its visual presentation. The intricate set design by Rosa Maggiora, coupled with Matt Haskins’ nuanced lighting, creates a visually captivating backdrop that mirrors Queenie’s shifting mental state.
However, “A Tupperware of Ashes” struggles to maintain a consistent tone, veering between intense family drama and expository dialogue. The play touches on important topics such as lasting power of attorney and end-of-life decisions but fails to seamlessly integrate them into the narrative.
By the conclusion, the play’s various threads seem to unravel, leaving the audience questioning its central focus. Despite its ambitious scope and poignant moments, “A Tupperware of Ashes” ultimately falls short of delivering a cohesive and impactful exploration of Alzheimer’s and familial relationships.
In the end, the play remains a complex tapestry of ideas struggling to find a unified message, making it a challenging yet thought-provoking theatrical experience.