New play addresses dementia's impact on Black Britons

A new play titled "Miss Myrtle's Garden" explores the impact of dementia on a Black British family. The play aims to start important conversations about the disease, which affects Black Britons at a higher rate than white Britons. Lynette Linton, the outgoing creative director of Bush Theatre in London, believes the production is a beautiful way to discuss this urgent issue. A report from 2022 showed that Black people in the UK have a 22% higher rate of diagnosed dementia compared to their white counterparts. Linton hopes the play will inspire conversations within the community and provide the necessary support for those affected. The play is directed by Taio Lawson, Linton's successor. It is written by Danny James King. Linton stated, “Dementia is a conversation that we need to talk about more. It’s affecting so many people, let’s talk about it now.” Linton’s last season at the Bush Theatre will also include "Superwoman Schema," about two women coping with the death of their family matriarch. Another play, "Sweetmeats," tells a story of forbidden love between two middle-aged South Asian characters. Linton emphasized the importance of telling stories about older characters. “How often do we see a love story between characters of a certain age?” she asked. She feels passionate about honoring elders through storytelling and believes more plays need to focus on Black and Asian leads. Other plays in Linton's final season include "After Sunday," set in a cooking class in a prison psychiatric unit; "Heart Wall," about adult challenges when returning home; and "House of Jenin," which focuses on the experiences of Alaa Shehada. Linton will take a break after her time at the Bush Theatre ends in two weeks before returning to direct "Superwoman Schema." She has been an advocate for a more diverse theatre landscape in the UK, focusing on Black and Asian voices. During her six years as artistic director, Linton has overseen the performances of over 50 plays by British and Irish playwrights, many of whom are writers of color. Under her leadership, the theatre won multiple Olivier awards and launched new works that highlighted diverse stories. As she prepares to leave, Linton offered advice to the new artistic director, saying, “Follow your instincts and remember the people around you are the heartbeat of that building.”