Kinetics

Kinetics, being performed for the first time outside the UK, at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, is a true story of a woman in her fifties, with Parkinson's Disease, who encounters a teenage boy, who is into Parkour.

Produced by Sue Edge, who also has Parkinson’s disease, the show seeks to spread awareness of the condition, while also being a fascinating show. Both named Sue, and both teachers, the writer, and producer have quite a few things in common, including being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at 50 and 51 respectively.

Central character Rose, beautifully and empathically portrayed by Natalie Burbage, newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, is feeling alone and trapped by her body and the desire to move, until a chance encounter with a rebellious teen, who is obsessed with free running - Parkour. Matthew Manning expertly portrays the young man Lukas, who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and who can also not control his desire to move. An excellent pairing of performers, we see a meeting of minds and needs in a beautifully crafted story.

Great support from actors Peter Shaw, as Lukas' chemistry teacher, in a well-crafted performance, and Colin Howe in a moving and funny cameo as Mr Burton.

While the driving force behind this production, presented through the MANPAC Community Partnership, is to raise awareness of Parkinson’s, this is also excellent theatre, with a beautiful and moving story.

Kimberley Shaw