The Wardrobe Theatre
2019
As Sarah navigates her way from hostel life into her own home, she realises that it is not as easy as she had first imagined. A series of difficult situations sees her mental health decline and the potential of being back on the streets.
This production was made by young people who have experienced of homelessness and mental ill-health over a period of 12 weeks. They devised a piece of forum theatre based on their own stories and experiences. Forum theatre invites audiences to stop the performance and come up on stage to try out different approaches a character might take when dealing with oppression. Actors improvise around them and it is a powerful way to open up discussions about how to change people’s lives.
Saving the Shell was performed at The Wardrobe Theatre and We the Curious in Bristol and at Cardboard Citizens HQ in London in front of people from housing and mental health services and people from the local council.
It was a partnership project between Many Minds, Cardboard Citizens and 1625 Independent People.The young people involved received an accredited PEARL employability qualification through the project.
Watch our video about our project here: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/255647789