There is a Light and a Whistle for Attracting Attention by Henri Merriam. Is a deeply moving performance by Merriam as the story unravels about her journey through relationship and marriage to Tom, whose unreasonable, coercive-control behaviour chips away at her slowly.

The red flags are flying high and bright to the audience. However, these became normal and accepted by her. It was just who Tom was, but it was OK as she loved him and we do things for people we love, don’t we?

Falling in love is meant to be all hearts and flowers, caring and defending the person who has captured your heart. Narcissistic relationships work on another level, and only one member of the couple is ever truly in love. The other sets out to destroy, isolate, and cause as much destruction as they can.

The destruction of the perpetrator’s victim works by slowly destroying their confidence. Everything’s they once “loved” about the victim is turned against them and used to gaslight and destroy them until all that is left is a confused and “mad” person who clearly doesn’t know their own mind. Allowing the abuser to declare to anyone who will listen that this to be the reason they left the victim.

With the details and accurate account of what happens to a victim in these toxic relationships throughout the performance, I felt it came from personal experience. From watching some of the audience reactions I felt they empathised and felt some of the experiences too.

If only there was “a Light and Whistle” to draw attention to the victims who are drowning in the depths of abusive relationships, so many could be saved sooner or before something catastrophic happens and they can’t be saved.

Merriam’s performance is faultless, using the stage space creatively. The pine chest of the drawers centre stage holds the secrets and memories of the couples life together. Prepare to go on an emotional roller-coaster as the drawers open one step at a time.

For more information about There is a Light and a Whistle for Attracting Attention please use the link below. The play will be performing in June at Jack Studio in Brockley. The link can also be found below.

Five Stars.

http://playnicelytheatre.com/

Brighton Fringe at Ironworks Studios

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There is a Light and a Whistle for Attracting Attention

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https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/gender-violence/domestic-violence-and-abuse-getting-help/

What Is Domestic Violence?

There is a Light and a Whistle for Attracting Attention is brought to you by award-nominated Play Nicely Theatre (Splinter, The Mechanicals Present… ), written by Henri Merriam, co-produced by Mark Finbow (The Keeper’s Daughter) and directed by Ellice Stevens (It’s True, It’s True, It’s True).