We first meet Arthur (Matthew Seager) sitting in a chair, deep in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. At his feet, his wife Jane (Lydia White) hugs his legs in a silent embrace – a poignant image that we will later return to.

From there, we flash back to the couple’s first meeting with Arthur ‘accidentally’ spilling red wine on Jane, apologising profusely yet immediately capturing her attention. Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ plays overhead as they dance together, Arthur singing along until Jane gently teases, ‘Don’t ruin it.’ This song becomes their shared track – a symbol of connection, joy and later, recollection. As we follow their journey, the writing draws us into the intricacies of their relationship, with the characters often stopping the action to address us directly. The intimate, stripped-back set amplifies the powerful simplicity of the storytelling, allowing it to take full focus. 

As Arthur’s condition worsens, so does his confusion and frustration, leading to emotional outbursts that Jane tries to manage with quiet resilience. In one particularly devastating scene, as they watch TV, Jane tearfully explains the doctors have said Arthur will soon no longer recognise her. She cries in silence and we feel every moment of her heartbreak.

Seager depicts Arthur’s decline with such sensitivity and detail, capturing the slow, painful erosion of identity in contrast to the vibrancy of his earlier scenes. White’s performance as Jane is equally powerful – she anchors herself in unwavering support as she endures the gradual loss of the man she loves. Her experience is one shared by countless carers and this play serves as a moving tribute to them.

The presence of their song, ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ remains a constant throughout, guiding Arthur back to Jane time and time again. When he sings along again in a later scene, she doesn’t interrupt him like before, instead holding him close and listening with a fragile smile. 

We return to the image of Jane at Arthur’s feet and after 70 uninterrupted minutes, the audience seems to collectively breathe. IN OTHER WORDS is an exceptional and essential story – a play that everyone should see. 

IN OTHER WORDS is on at the Arcola Theatre until 24th May, 3:30pm, 7pm. Tickets available here.

PR invite. 
Photos by Tom Dixon.