Confronting my fears

5:01pm Friday 25th July 2008

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Review - Human Habitation, The Printworks, 3/5

IF there’s one subject that really scares me it’s the subject of mental illness.

Don’t get me wrong - I am not frightened when I come into contact with people who have psychiatric problems. I feel nothing but compassion for them.

It’s more a fear of falling victim to some kind of mental disorder because for me, there would be nothing worse than not having peace of mind.

Mental illness may be slowly shedding its taboo image but it’s still a subject that most of us would rather brush under the carpet.

Fortunately, we have writers Rob Johnston who confronts it head long in his new play Human Habitation, an enjoyable and enlightening piece that’s currently playing at Manchester’s 24:7 Theatre Festival.

Johnston, who loves in Altrincham, tackles the subject with honesty and humour, and we certainly don’t feel sorry for Michael, the young father struggling to come to terms with life outside a psychiatric hospital. We root for him, we wish him well, rather than pitying him.

This production is a real Trafford affair, with Sale born actor Mike Woodhead playing the role of Frank, an ultimately decent if equally damaged bloke who ends up taking Michael under his wing. In the space of just 45 minutes, Woodhead and Ben Worth, who plays Michael, convey a convincing if slightly unorthodox chemistry. A tribute both to their acting skills and Johnston’s writing, that has a lovely, natural flow about it.

We need brave writers like Rob Johnston and we also need events like the 24:7 Theatre Festival, which give a much needed platform to drama that is fresh and challenging. Rick Bowen * Human Habitation at Pure at Blue in The Printworks, Manchester, until Saturday. Performance times vary and the box office is on 0161 236 7110.