A PLAY inspired by 155 older women and carers is all set to tour the region and, as Barbara Hodgson discovers, it poses questions for us all.
WHEN ladies of a certain age were invited to take part in a community theatre project last April, the idea was to pull together personal story strands of life in care.
And the response saw 155 women from the North East – a mix of those in care homes (living or working there), carers, day centre users and the housebound – keen to get involved in a series of drama workshops to share their experiences.
Now Open Clasp Theatre Company’s project, Generation XX, is coming to fruition with a lengthy tour of the play, which combines those workshop conversations to create funny, poignant and thought-provoking drama, starting next week.
Swags & Tails asks questions of audiences such as how much are you worth? and, does your value decrease with age?
It’s less a play about the older generation than one about our society and everyone in it.
Local actors, including 87-year-old Helen Russell from South Shields, are taking on a variety of roles offering a wry look at care, or lack of it, against a backdrop of current social, political and cultural issues.
Helen plays Lillian, who is housebound and locked in her spare room with only eight bottles of gin for company, as well as Marlene who joins Ellen (Barbara Heslop) in making a last stand in protest at the closure of their day centre.
Then there’s dementia sufferer Gloria (Heslop again) and beleaguered care worker Mary, played by Catrina McHugh, who is also the writer of the play and Open Clasp’s director.
Other cast members are Zoe Lambert and Rachel Teate.
Directed by Charlotte Bennett, the play – set on the imagined date of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s death amid an atmosphere of austerity and cuts – promises an honest look at the challenges and needs we have in old age.
Among the groups whose stories inspired the work are Station Court Care Home in Ashington, West Denton Day Centre, Eighton Lodge in Gateshead, Cleveland View Care Home, the Carers Centre in Newcastle and Age UK North Tyneside.
As one of the participants said: “It’s an exciting feeling to use my own voice to create something that others can learn from.”
Suitable for ages 11-plus, the play, supported by Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure, opens next week and there’s a 2pm performance on Wednesday at Ashington Institute on Institute Road.
For tickets (£2 including refreshments) contact Ashington Leisure Centre reception on 01670 532 380, or Blyth Sports Centre on 01670 542 222. Groups of more than six will get in half-price and entry for carers is free. Contact Jo Burke on 07875 971162.
The play then moves to Arts Centre Washington on Thursday, with a performance at 7.30pm (call 0191 219 3455) before touring the region from Northumberland to Hartlepool throughout February and March, with showings at theatres as well as community centres and care homes.
For the full programme visit www.openclasp.org.uk