Review: THE B*EASTS, Bush Theatre

Monica Dolan examines the sexualisation of children from the perspective of a psychotherapist, Tessa, who's assessing a mother who allowed her eight-year-old to have breast implants. She narrates the story of Leila, a precocious child, and her mother Karen, leading her audience on a crucial journey through ethics and morality.

She fully withholds her judgment, never thrusting her opinion upon her listeners but simply putting the facts in front of them. As she explains, Leila started to hint that she wanted breasts from the age of three and persistently kept showing interest until her mother realised that there weren't any reasons why she shouldn't have surgery.

In her reflection, Dolan points out that there isn't a safe way to find out who's really to blame. Is it the mother who gave in and allowed her young daughter to have what she most desired? Or are all the advertisements, magazines, the internet, and society in general the cause of such a scandal?

The arrival of Leila in the UK after getting surgery in Brazil (it was cheaper) stirred a wave of curiosity and outrage: Karen was taken into custody and the girl was put in care. A trial started and Tessa was appointed to decide whether the mother could be considered an aberration and put in prison, while her daughter was stripped of her childhood, instantly becoming an object of desire and vilification.

As directed by John Hoggart, the brilliant monologue is full of dry humour and witty remarks; as Tessa, Dolan speaks to the public with earnest directness, her character stating that she's aware she's breaking confidentiality but it's a subject that needs to be addressed.

Dolan's no-nonsense attitude is heightened by set designer James Button, who focuses the attention to the centre of the stage. An armchair and a side table with books and other objects are the only companions for the actress. She engages the crowd with her words alone, only rarely standing up and walking around to speak candidly on the phone about the shattering news regarding her own health.

The B*easts doesn't give any answers but takes the audience by the hand and helps them to reflect on the sexualisation of children and the role of parents. Dolan opens a discussion on body image, unachievable beauty standards, institutionalised pedophilia, and the societal implications of having breasts in a simple but effective conversation.

The B*easts runs at Bush Theatre until 3 March.

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