Performed by Gobscure
Rating *****
The Collector of Tears is an epic exploration of English history through the eyes of our nomadic heroine, Tanya Sealt, daughter of a 16th century Sunderland salt baron, blessed - or cursed - with immortality until she can cry, wandering the land collecting the tears of historical figures and coming to terms with her bisexuality.
The play by Sean Burn is a monologue performed by Madeleine MacMahon with live music composed and performed by cellist Ken Patterson and a special signed performance. The set is minimalist with just two sets of steps and a box which manage to portray a wide variety of scenes. The tears are collected in beautiful individual bottles created by Effie Burns. MacMahon expertly performed all roles in the play, seamlessly switching between characters in a conversation - even during love scenes.
The emphasis on personal liberty, from tyrants as diverse as Charles I, Oliver Cromwell and - on the subject of sexuality and transgender at least - Margaret Thatcher, was cleverly done with Tanya's political beliefs staying broadly the same whether she was a Roundhead, Leveller, suffragette or LGBT activist - always defending her rights as a free-born human being, and especially equal rights between the sexes.
They even manage - at the end of 400 years of history - to fit in a scathing indictment of mental health treatment from the beginning of the NHS until "Care in the Community" in the Thatcher years.
This play is only on a limited tour but I do recommend seeing if you get a chance. There is also a book of Sean Burn's monologues including A Collector of Tears.
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