An endearing story of two very different people, Patricia and Andrea, who find the same loss of faith through completely different circumstances. The stage is transformed into a church hall and the cast sing gospel songs with murmurs from the audience heard singing along to the familiar songs.
Take Me Back manages to not only keep the attention but completely absorb the audience in the story.
The play shows snippets throughout Patricia and Andrea’s lives. Introducing them both at Sunday school, Andrea, the back chatting know it all, angering her tutors and pastor, while Patricia proudly (and comically) carries around her Bible everywhere.
As they grow up their paths take different turns. Andrea is kicked out of her home by her unforgiving mother and Patricia living her wholesome life about to get married.
Patricia’s piety turning into alcoholism after a sudden and deeply shocking loss, not understanding what she did wrong to deserve such a callus tragedy, after being so devoted to God. She ends up doubting her faith and turning her back on the church.
It is revealed that Andrea has not had the easiest upbringing, and a strict mother was not the biggest of her worries. Andrea’s tumultuous relationship with her youngest son’s father come to a head toward the end as you can hear the audience angered and in disagreement with his vulgar treatment of her.
The girls finally reunite, as Patricia saves Andrea from being berated further by her son’s father. They catch up and they make amends, realising the life isn’t as simple as they thought as children. For them to go through such different experiences and still end up in the same place of loss and confusion, but together again is a comforting thought.
The utterly captivating story comes to a head in the last scenes, the play manages to not only keep the attention but completely absorb the audience in the story. All the unresolved tragedy comes to the forefront when the women confront their mothers about what has gone wrong in their lives, and finally the truth comes out. Le Mar triumphantly manages to weave in comedy at the most trying and dramatic scenes dealing with loss, love and truth.
Take Me Back is a beautiful, funny and moving story of women’s relationships with themselves, each other and God.
Most interestingly, it is the relationships between the girls and their mothers that shape the story. The contrasting expectations of the religious life and the selfishness and pride exhibited by Patricia’s and Andrea’s mothers is deeply saddening. However, still able to leave some hope in the audience that past misdoings can be forgiven, and people can be welcomed back with open arms… Even atheists might shed a tear!
True forgiveness of what has occurred in their lives to this point brings them back to the comfort of the church. An endearing insight into a snippet of Caribbean culture through the lens of religion in a Pentecostal church. Amazing singing solos and a brilliant, well rounded story line with great actors taking stage. Exhilarating performances from the whole cast, the theatre filled with rambunctious laughter throughout. A special mention to the hilarious pastor who makes appearances, perfectly timed humour which never failed to get the audience howling.
Take Me Back is a beautiful, funny and moving story of women’s relationships with themselves, each other and God. Captivating the audience through laughs and entirely shocking moments it’s no surprise it’s such a hit!
