The Room Upstairs – Livestream Viewer Review

I have had the pleasure of watching the Baloney Theatre Company production of The Room Upstairs via live stream this week. The play has been running at Wanstead Fringe Festival, with the closing night being tonight. And I am just blown away.

A play written by my daughter, in collaboration with Baloney Theatre Company. The one woman show The Room Upstairs is about her experience of growing up with a mum (aka me) who has severe ME. It’s all set in one room. A representation of my bedroom.

Some Reactions From Friends

The Room Upstairs Room Stage Set With Muted Lighting In Purple Pink — The Room Upstairs – Stage Set – Baloney Theatre Company

Here are some of the comments from my friends who were watching too.

I went through so many emotions watching it. Very talented young lady.

Penny – The Room Upstairs was brilliant. Only someone who has lived with an ME sufferer could have undertaken the difficulties and raised the madness that goes with it. You must be so proud of your daughter.

Wow. So moving xxx

Loved the pillow/positivity scene. Could totally relate.

Wow! You must be well proud. Enjoyed it.

Such a strong passionate piece. The girl done good!!

It meant a great deal, knowing that many of my friends were watching online with me. Friends, who are kind, supportive, compassionate and empathetic. Tea, cakes, hugs and tears have been shared on occasions. You need cheerleaders when you live with a debilitating chronic illness. And I am blessed with a few. Many of who knew me long before ME arrived. But also many I have come to know and love, virtually, since having ME.

My Thoughts

For myself. I felt so incredibly humbled and so deeply loved. It felt as if no one else was watching. That it was just my daughter and me. Like a letter of sheer intense love. It seriously has left me speechless. I recognised all the minute details. All the memories. And the clothes! Obviously some details and locations etc were altered, for the sake of privacy.

The Room Upstairs Room Stage Set With Muted Lighting In Blue — The Room Upstairs – Stage Set – Baloney Theatre Company

There Is More

But what struck so deeply was our intensity of feeling and memory of the same day in our lives. A day spent whilst I was, just for a change, laid up in bed. With one child beside me revising for exams and the other at my feet studying. It was the best day. Spent quietly together. With tea, snacks and manageable little chats. And oh my goodness, when that came into the play, my heart was so full.

Speaking Your Truth

The hardest part, however, was seeing my daughter express her pain. It broke me. She is incredibly brave. And with the help of Baloney Theatre Company, has gathered the courage to express the darker side of the past two decades of ME. I hope it is freeing, empowering, cathartic and healing for her. I certainly feel a whole lot bolder having watched it.

My children have seen paramedics arrive at all hours, with me being wheeled off to the hospital by ambulance. And were of junior school age when MEcfs arrived. This play speaks for so many people experiencing similar. For so many young carers.

The effect of being heard cannot ever be underestimated.

Closing Thoughts

To my daughter and Baloney Theatre Company. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel so incredibly humbled and honoured to be associated with this production. Thank you for speaking when others can’t.