Member Article

International award winning Theatre Company announces national Spring Tour of critically acclaimed production LEAVING

Produced by Curious Monkey in association with Northern Stage

Written by Paddy Campbell // Directed by Amy Golding // Designed by Katherina Radeva // Composition // Sound Design by Roma Yagnik

Leaving home for the first time… Is a step into the dark. A whole new life. If you’re leaving the care system, the reality hits even harder.

Caroline’s dad was an alcoholic. She shared a caravan with three adults and five kids. Keira didn’t go to school. She was constantly in trouble. Tom was physically and mentally abused. Simon was moved from pillar to post. And Sadeed. Sadeed was 15 when he arrived from Afghanistan to seek asylum. He had mental health problems.

All had their own issues and all had chaotic lives before they entered the care system. All struggled to begin with but eventually each found some kind of temporary stability within it. Then, at the age of eighteen … there’s the door. Each is put out into the wild with little or no support.

Paddy Campbell is a Northern Irish writer based in Newcastle upon Tyne. His inspiration for Leaving came from his own experiences as a key worker at a North East children’s home. It shines a light on the lives of young people leaving care and the issues they face. The play draws upon the words of young people who have actually gone through the care system. It is performed by an ensemble cast and created by an award winning team who push the boundaries of verbatim theatre, giving a voice to those experiencing and working within the system - from staff in children’s homes to MPs and policy makers to the young people themselves.

The production is directed by Amy Golding who founded Curious Monkey in 2011. She has recently written and performed preggers, which toured the UK in 2016 and has many directing credits to her name.

Says Amy: “Leaving is a slice of real life. It contains all the heartache and humour you would expect from genuine experiences, told by those who experienced them. It reaches out to those affected by the issues in the play – from looked after young people to those working in social care, in local and national politics. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in social justice, in the role of the family and the real, raw voices of young people. Looked after young people are rarely depicted on stage – Leaving aims to portray lives that many will recognise and hopefully will change the way we think about young people in care.

Leaving, by Paddy Campbell premiered last year in Newcastle to huge critical acclaim.

The cast for Leaving comprises Jackie Lye, Rosie Stancliffe, Matt Howdon, Kate Okello and Luke Maddison.

Website: https://curiousmonkeytheatre.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Curiousmonkeytheatre/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/curiousmonkey_

9 & 10 March | Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne 7.30pm Box Office: 0191 230 5151 Tickets from £10 www.northernstage.co.uk

29 March | Alnwick Playhouse, Northumberland 7.30pm Box Office: 01665 510 785 Tickets Pay What You Decide initiative www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nicky Mckeen .