★ ★ ★
Sometimes a reviewer has an impossible task. To convey the creative’s work, what they set out to achieve and whether it succeeded. Joshua (and Me), succeeds in what it sets out to do, but it can make for difficult viewing for an autistic audience member, or indeed, autistic reviewer.
The show is well made, and does state it’s about ‘living with an autistic sibling’, it is not all about the autistic person and I totally believed in the authentic experience of the protagonist. Lucy Jane Atkinson’s direction is peerless, tight and well-crafted, Along with Sophia Beeby’s sound design and Carly Altberg’s set, it’s one of most professional shows you’ll see at the fringe.
The play centres around Hannah (played excellently by Rachel Hammond, the show’s writer and producer), an instantly likeable 7 year old, and through her musical prowess, comic strips and loop pedals; she tells us of her home life, her mum, her grandad who she adores, and her two brothers, one of whom is autistic. We are told about the rigidity of routines and the way home life revolves around Joshua (‘never call him Josh’) and how this leads to siblings being overlooked and marginalised. I felt for Rachel during her music recital when her chance at the limelight was taken from her yet again.
Autistic voices are rarely centred in theatre, film or tv and when they are they are, they’re often stereotyped or seen as a drain, an annoyance, just think of things like A-Typical. This is something Rachel Hammond addresses in the show’s programme. It tells us there was consultancy with The Autism Advisory Team ‘to ensure autistic voices are not silenced’. She also makes clear that the show is set in 90’s, where ‘we have come a long way in our understanding since then’. She also puts that this show features ‘one autistic person’ and that all autistic people are different. I feel Rachel has pre-empted a lot of what I found problematic with the show in her programme notes, it would’ve been beneficial to have that explained on stage as well.
We do need to hear from families and carers of disabled people, there is a lot of trauma, helplessness and confusion from a system that does not care and can leave families feeling powerless. I also understand it can be taboo for siblings and carers to talk negatively about disabled people, and I respect that too, and champion people to be able to say how they feel.
My worry, (and me nor the creatives have much control over this) is that audiences will think ‘this is what autism is’; images of violence, difficult behaviour, being infantilised, that autists are self-absorbed.
You could argue that the ablism inherent in all of us, coupled with a lack of support, creates situations that Hannah and her family face. Although Rachel does convey many happy times, the scene in the homemade rocket-ship was particularly lovely.
Joshua (and Me) is well-meaning and honest. But it left a strong reaction in this autistic reviewer, and I have to be honest about that. It isn’t the fault of Rachel and the creative team (many of whom are neurodiverse). It’s more that plays, films and shows about autistic people (and their families) are so rare, any creative has a tall order to fulfil.
Rachel does offer a space to talk about the show afterwards, and we hope to chat too, in the future. I can imagine young siblings of autistic and disabled people may find a lot to relate to in this play. It certainly is a piece that will spark a lot of thought, which is the point of good theatre.
Joshua (and me) Pleasance Dome – 10Dome 10:55 (1hr) Aug 3-16, 18-29 £12.50-11 (8+)
