Last night, I had the absolute pleasure of watching the opening performance of Next to Normal by Bare Productions. As we have now come to expect from Bare, this was a simply outstanding production, and I’m sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the house by the end.
Next to Normal follows the Goodman family as they navigate the realities of living with mental illness, grief, addiction and the lasting effects of trauma. At its heart is Diana, a mother whose struggle with bipolar disorder has a profound impact on her husband Dan and their children, Natalie and Gabe. The show explores the complexities of mental health and family relationships with honesty, compassion and, at times, humour. Bare Productions have collaborated throughout the rehearsal process with partners Held in Our Hearts and Bipolar Scotland, two charities whose work closely aligns with the themes explored throughout the production. Bare’s commitment to authenticity and representation in their depiction of these stories is remarkable, with the effort and dedication clear in the performances. These partnerships are a fantastic way of extending the conversation beyond the theatre, helping to highlight the importance of understanding, supporting and talking openly about mental health.
Taking on the complex and extremely challenging role of Diana is Brikaih Floré. Floré is a standout performer, with flawless vocals and acting that is particularly impressive throughout a role demanding such emotional depth. Key highlights of the production are striking numbers from Floré including “I Miss the Mountains” and “I Dreamed a Dance”. Diana is a multifaceted character who requires a huge range of emotions and Brikaih takes this on seemingly without breaking a sweat. This was a truly professional display of talent, and I am certain we will continue to see Brikaih shine in the future.
At her side, Greg McCafferty-Thomson holds the family home together as Dan Goodman. Greg takes a softer approach to the character compared to other portrayals of Dan, full of warmth and genuine love and concern for his wife. Instead of feeling resentment towards what can sometimes be seen as a selfish character, the audience became invested and sympathetic to Dan’s perspective of his tumultuous family home, thanks to the emotionally authentic and impactful performance Greg delivered. No stranger to the Edinburgh AmDram scene, McCafferty-Thomson is always guaranteed to provide sublime vocals and a warm, comforting stage presence. It was an absolute pleasure to watch Greg take on this role.
Kelsey Mackenzie and Zac McGuire complete the Goodman family as Natalie and Gabe respectively. Mackenzie does splendidly to portray the almost-at-breaking-point Natalie, who is pushed to the side amongst her family’s chaos. Mackenzie shines in this role, with a loveable and relatable performance that brings you to tears. Similarly, Zac brings both warmth and darkness as the “golden child” Gabe. McGuire has beautiful chemistry with his parents in the show, and without giving much away, his stellar performance will leave you heartbroken.
Will Jackson brings us a splendid performance as Dr Madden/Dr Fine. Jackson provides so much comic relief to what is undeniably a harrowing show, whilst also providing an authentic portrayal of the doctor just trying to help. It was also impossible not to notice how much Jackson’s vocals carried throughout the performance, especially in ensemble numbers such as “Light”, which was a real treat.
Ollie Hall takes on the role of Henry, Natalie’s newfound boyfriend. The chemistry between Hall and Mackenzie was so enticing to watch, with the first stages of an awkward teen romance portrayed perfectly. Throughout the show, Henry becomes a significant source of support for Natalie, providing Hall some lovely opportunities to show both depth and range in his character and vocals.
No cast is without the support of an equally talented production team, and the dynamic duo of Dominic Whitefield-Holbrook as Director and Finlay Turnbull as Musical Director have undeniably poured so much love into this production, which is so clear throughout the performance. Even as an audience member, we felt hugely supported through a show with such challenging themes. Simple but effective set design worked well to transform the space into the Goodman home, with lighting by Luca Davies helping to bring this electrifying production to life. Turnbull also led a six-piece live band (Finlay Turnbull, Fiona Scott, Tim Cais, Aidan Harvey, Joseph McKearnon and Guy Bathgate) who tackled the score with ease.
Overall, Next to Normal is a production that stays with you long after the curtain falls. Bare Productions have once again delivered an exceptional show, combining a phenomenally talented cast with a story that is both deeply moving and incredibly important. Every performer brought something unique to the stage, and the production handled its challenging themes with the care and sincerity they deserve. If this opening night is anything to go by, Next to Normal is an absolute must-see, and one I would have no hesitation in recommending.
Get tickets for Next To Normal here – https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/next-to-normal
Theatre Scotland 
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