When celebrated playwright Lekha Desai Morrison helped care for her father-in-law as his dementia developed, she felt very isolated.
Knowing very little about dementia, the care he required or what support was available, Lekha decided to turn her experiences into a play to explore how dementia impacts not only those diagnosed, but also their families and caregivers.
The result is Remember Me, the deeply moving story of Sally and her daughter Keira as they navigate the heartbreaking changes in their beloved Jack, whose fading passion for painting signals the onset of dementia. Through humour, love, and raw honesty, the play resonates deeply with audiences and communities.
“Expect a perfect blend of warmth, humour, and heartfelt moments as Sally and Keira navigate their family’s changing world,” Lekha explains.
Premiering in May last year to packed out audiences, Remember Me is now back, and coming to Oxford’s Old Fire Station on March 14-15, commissioned by Landmark Theatres.
So why did Lekha feel that dementia needed exploring in this way? “Remember Me is more than just a performance – it invites audiences to witness a family’s intimate journey while finding comfort and solidarity in the story’s universal themes,” she says.
“It creates a space for shared understanding and connection while raising critical awareness of dementia, one of the fastest-growing health challenges of our time. Plus it highlights the importance of support services such as The Dementia Resource Centre,” she adds.
Lekha is known for her ability to tackle challenging topics with humour and compassion, garnering critical acclaim along the way, and Remember Me is no different.
“Audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” she says, “with many praising Remember Me‘s authenticity and emotional resonance. One attendee described it as ‘an incredibly moving and explicitly real depiction of dementia’, while another called it ‘a lovely play about a difficult subject’.”
“This play isn’t just a show; it’s an emotional journey that will touch your heart and open your mind about dementia in a way you won’t forget. Whether you’ve been affected by dementia or not, this show will leave you with a new perspective and plenty to talk about,” she promises.
Remember Me is at OFS on March 14-15. Book here https://oldfirestation.org.uk/whats-on/remember-me/
