Tulips

Bath Fringe

Mission Theatre, Bath

June 2, 2019

WARNING: SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!

Tulips is a topical play that illuminates core issues of domestic abuse. It is written by Michael Beakhouse, who also plays Alex, the central character in this four-actor cast. It is directed by Adrian Tang of the Exit, Pursued By Pandas Theatre Company.

Tulips revolves around Alex who is having a difficult relationship with his girlfriend Scarlett (Heather MacEachern) and so goes to Christine’s (Victoria Paterson) therapy group where he meets Jason (Peter Taverner), an ex-footballer and longtime group member.

In the beginning Alex is an off-putting character, seemingly a self-possessed young professional, booted and suited, hair slicked back. In contrast, Scarlett seems shy and inward, exuding vulnerability. As the play progresses, we are made to confront our own stereotypes of what abuse is and who are abusers. 

SPOILER: As it turns out, Alex is the victim and Scarlett the perpetrator – which we don’t fully realise until the play is quite far along. Even when Alex goes to the therapy group and has a disastrous meeting with Jason, we still think it is for Alex’s abuse, which seems corroborated by Jason’s own physical presence and aggression.

But this is all turned on its head. The abuse in neither case is physical, it is manipulation. In the case of Jason, it is legal in the form of injunctions preventing him from seeing his children as well as turning his children against him. In the case of Alex it is also manipulative, Scarlett using her weakness and damaged upbringing as a weapon.

So our assumptions about abuse are challenged; it need not be physical violence, it need not be perpetrated by men. One might see how easily this could be met with outrage from many feminists. Are not the preponderance of domestic abuse cases done my men against women? Don’t bruises and broken bones take precedence over hurt feelings?

The first answer to that is this is not a polemic play. If anything, it is putting forth the idea that domestic abuse should not be gender specific – especially in an age where gender fluidity is becoming the acceptable norm. All kinds of partners can, and do, abuse all kinds of partners. The second point is that all we know is the tip of an iceberg. It is thought only 20% of domestic abuse cases are reported. It is assumed that men are far less willing than women to report abuse. 

And there is the question of what abuse is; many still think it must be physical and would not think to report it if it were just manipulation. It does remind me of the observation that what women are most afraid of by men is physical attack; what men fear most from women is being laughed at. 

Tulips has done its job: here I am, thinking about the issues.  Which makes Tulips a refreshing success. That success rests on the writing, the three main characters are developed beautifully, particularly Alex and Jason. The acting is superb all around, the staging and direction clever and effective. It is a remarkable first effort for all involved.

Charley Dunlap