Showing posts with label dementia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dementia. Show all posts

Tuesday, 13 March 2018

Three: West Yorkshire Playhouse


Enjoyed working with West Yorkshire Playhouse on Three, a trilogy of short plays co-created with people living with dementia, for Every Third Minute, a Festival of Theatre, Dementia and Hope.

My play, 'Hamari Yaadain (Our Memories)' was co-created with members of the Touchstone Hamari Yaadain Memory Café in Harehills - a group providing support for people living with dementia and carers from South Asian communities in Leeds.

The cast for all three plays is Susan Cookson (BBC Casualty), Jem Dobbs, Manish Gandhi, and Balvinder Sopal (Call the Midwife). Directed by Alex Ferris, Three includes live music from singer-songwriter Fran Wyburn, and is stage managed by Leann Young; it premiered at West Yorkshire Playhouse on 9 March and will tour care homes and community venues in Leeds until 24 March 2018. 

The producer is Martha Rose Wilson, and the tour is co-ordinated by Maggie De Ruyck. The Every Third Minute Festival was curated by Nicky Taylor and a panel of people at West Yorkshire Playhouse living with dementia. 

Hamari Yaadain (Our Memories)
 Cast (L to R): Susan Cookson, Manish Gandhi, Balvinder Sopal, Jem Dobbs
Photo: West Yorkshire Playhouse 
Members of the Hamari Yaadain Memory Café

Before the show...
... and after, me with two of the Hamari Yaadain ladies


Wednesday, 17 January 2018

The Things We Never Said Wins Best Radio Drama, WGGB Awards 2018


Thrilled that my first play for BBC Radio 4 won Best Radio Drama at the Writers' Guild Awards 2018.

Starring Lia Williams and Siân Phillips, it was produced and directed by Abigail Le Fleming, and went out on 11 May 2017.

There's a clip and discussion between Jane Garvey and Fi Glover on BBC Radio 4's Fortunately podcast (@ 10' 33"); and I wrote this blog about the background.

The script is available to read and download (subject to copyright) at BBCWritersroom Script Library.


(Photo: Matt Writtle)
Photo: Matt Writtle
With award presenter, Nicholas McInerny (left)
(Photo: Matt Writtle)
With agent, Diana Tyler (right)
(Photo: Matt Writtle)