A cunningly constructed play. For a show about death and the limits of compassion, Bea is Surprisingly joyous. At times it is killingly funny... Lyn Gardner, The Guardian In Bea [Gordon] has moved from self-identity to how that self communicates and is understood by others - that is, empathy. In the process he has transformed the philosophy lecture into a subtle, complex, challenging piece of theatre... It works. The pace and structure are deftly controlled and layered... Richard Dennis, The Financial Times What's striking in the comedic and non-naturalistic impulses Gordon brings into play. He shows us not the bedridden body, but rather Bea's spirit, the lustily bouncy young woman trapped inside... The final image of release - Bea leaping up once again and dancing on the bed - is a life affirming, and death-affirming, glimpse of ecstasy. Kate Bassett, The Independent A subtle, complex, challenging piece of theatre... It works. The pace and structure are deftly controlled and layered... - Richard Dennis, The Financial Times Direct and frank unlike any other play I've seen this year, and beautifully played - Michael Coveney, Whatsonstage.com A piece of inventive, touching, and often disconcertingly amusing theatre - Daily Telegraph
A cunningly constructed play. For a show about death and the limits of compassion, Bea is Surprisingly joyous. At times it is killingly funny...-Lyn Gardner, The Guardian In Bea [Gordon] has moved from self-identity to how that self communicates and is understood by others - that is, empathy. In the process he has transformed the philosophy lecture into a subtle, complex, challenging piece of theatre... It works. The pace and structure are deftly controlled and layered... -Richard Dennis, The Financial Times What's striking in the comedic and non-naturalistic impulses Gordon brings into play. He shows us not the bedridden body, but rather Bea's spirit, the lustily bouncy young woman trapped inside... The final image of release - Bea leaping up once again and dancing on the bed - is a life affirming, and death-affirming, glimpse of ecstasy.-Kate Bassett, The Independent A subtle, complex, challenging piece of theatre... It works. The pace and structure are deftly controlled and layered... - Richard Dennis, The Financial Times Direct and frank... unlike any other play I've seen this year, and beautifully played - Michael Coveney, Whatsonstage.com A piece of inventive, touching, and often disconcertingly amusing theatre - Daily Telegraph