The Father

The Father is a story about grief and what it means to grieve for someone who is still alive. The play is told from Anthony’s point of view which is affected by dementia. His hold on reality has slipped and he can’t differentiate what is present and what is disjointed memories. In the end he confesses to the nurse that he wants his mother to take him home. He tells her he is losing all his leaves and has become separated from everything that gave his life value. The play elevates the emotional aspects of his character’s story which is filled with confusion, hazy memories, and the uncertainty of what is real and what isn’t. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are a labyrinth of the mind. Where the person never knows what corner of the maze, they will end up in. For the caregiver it is often a frustrating and exhausting journey, sometimes being hurt physically, emotionally, and mentally, by the unaware family member being cared for.