Unshakable

At the age of 22, the performer and comic Paul Betney first began showing signs of early-onset Parkinson’s Disease. By the age of forty, the degenerative effects of the disease were an all-consuming fact of everyday life. Unshakable is the story of Betney’s long battle with Parkinson’s and, unusually, it is one with a welcome and happy ending.

For much of the opening two-thirds of Unshakable, Betney delivers what is effectively a lecture, interspersed with personal anecdotes, about the effects, causes and consequences of Parkinson’s Disease. He's a likeable performer, and his material is unquestionably worthy, but it’s not quite what you would call entertainment. 

But Betney’s story is more complex than one might imagine. This isn’t the "brave man talks candidly about Parkinson’s Disease" setup that one might expect. What is remarkable about Betney’s story is that two years ago, he was given new medication that dealt with many of his symptoms. In effect, he was given a chance at a normal life. However, this meant that Betney’s biggest challenge has been working out what to do now that Parkinson’s is no longer the all-consuming fact of his life. The story of his attempts to rebuild his identity and life is a genuinely heartfelt, personal and uplifting tale.

The concluding third of Unshakable more than makes up for a rather clunky opening. It is a show that sends you on your way feeling a little more humble and a little wiser, which is about as much as anyone can ask for from a Fringe show.