The Colloquy of JG and The Girl

Actress Nikki Rydon presents a monologue-style play shifting between characterising herself, her grandmother JG and straight narration. She plays JG as a six-year-old, in middle age and in her 90s, the point being to shed light on the darkness surrounding her grandmother’s degenerative memory and eyesight. The audience members are each given a pair of glasses covered in Vaseline, which when worn emulate JG’s affected eyesight.

Rydon expresses the frustration, anger and humorous confusions that the illness can provoke. The role reversal of grandmother and grandchild is played out in a humorous way, JG throwing tantrums over food and clothes, Rydon the disciplinarian.

This play also touches on the nature of storytelling and how stories change from the moment they leave the teller’s mouth. Through memory lapse and fabrication, stories change over time and take on a life of their own. Rydon narrates this process, how JG’s stories have been manipulated over the years. There are stories of JG as a six-year-old in Baghdad, working on a ship in her 20s, traipsing around New York City post-WWII, all set to the sounds of Nat King Cole, Chet Baker and Debussy.

Rydon is certainly energetic. She executes JG’s toff English accent, stooped posture and aversion to swearing with sincerity. It’s a truly touching performance that left few dry eyes in the house.