About the performance

The Knitting Circle is a chilling glimpse into the hidden world of the asylums closed in the 1980s. Directed by Paulette Randall and based on extraordinary stories of survival, this is an exploration of the betrayal of thousands and of the irrepressible human spirit. Each actor was matched with survivors who gifted their testimonies, having lived or worked inside the system.

Key Personnel

Paulette Randall - Director
Tiiu Mortley - Assistant Producer (Key contact)
Julie McNamara - Writer
Crin Claxton - Technical Production / Lighting Design
Theo Holloway - Sound Design
Caglar Kimyoncu - Visuals Design
Emma Wee - Designer
Hetty May Bailey - Creative Consultant, BSL Interpretation
Hazel Maycock, Deni Francis, Mandi Symmonds & Penelope Freeman, Vincent Jerome, Alan Clifton - Actors

Production Information

Running time at full length: 1 hour 15 minutes

Suitable for age 14+

Use of dense text

Use of recorded and live music

Requires a clear understanding of English/ or BSL

Currently available with BSL interpretation and audio description/ captioning

Touring Information

Small scale show (up to 400 seats)

Site specific - hospital conference theatres a possibility

Number of people on tour: 8

Number of performers on stage: 7

Available to tour September - December 2011

Outreach and Educational Work

The consultation process in creating this work has engaged over 40 survivors of the psychiatric system, former residents and workers of the long stay hospitals. Without their testimonies and memories of lives gone before this piece would not have been possible. We have been appraoched by the BMJ (British Medical Journal) who reviewed the work in progress and also by 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' a Hertfordhsire county Council web project based in Hertfordshire where the play's story is located. Further work with survivors is imminent, gathering new stories, images and evidence.

Company History

Vital Xposure was launched in January 2011. This bold new production company operating under the creative leadership of Julie McNamara sets out to expose hidden voices with extraordinary stories to tell. Julie McNamara has developed a high profile international reputation in Disability led theatre and has a knack for saying the unsayable. Her commitment to embracing the stories of people shunted into the political peripheries of our communities is at the heart of all her work.

The artistic style is highly visual, blending strong moving images with provocative literary narrative. The impetus behind the company's work is to involve people who have limited engagement with the arts. Our mission is to create exciting, innovative theatrical experiences for audiences, artists and communities connecting with the company. All work presents an inclusive experience where access issues do not intrude upon the aesthetic of the productions.

Recent Productions / Tours

Crossings was a commission for DaDa Festival Liverpool and toured nationally to great acclaim. The tour took in thirteen small scale theatre venues and closed at the Baby Grand, part of the Grand Opera House in Belfast, one of the most prestigious venues in the UK, attracting full houses. Crossings was featured on Ulster television and BBC Radio to viewing audiences of over 70,000,000.

Reviews

'Pratibha Parmar (Filmmaker) writing on Facebook 24th Feb 2011: 'Brilliant play, The Knitting Circle - you have captured some amazing and moving stories that needed to be told. So much heart and newance and visceral pain. Well done.'
Sue Williams (ACE) 'A powerful and well crafted piece. Very poignant. I wanted to laugh and cry all at once - a sign of great writing.' (23rd Feb 2011 - e mail)

Dr. Rachel Perkins (Story contributor) 'Brilliant - I loved it - very clever script, amazing director, brilliantly acted. I recognize all of the characters from our days in the old bins!' (23rd Feb 2011 - Text)

Harriet Vickers (BMJ - British Medical Journal 2 March 2011) : 'Years of experience and memories of gone into this play... all true stories from the lives of patients and healthcare workers who inhabited them. The Knitting Circle takes its name from a women's group McNamara ran in Harperbury hospital - she doesn't shy away from the brutality that went on.'

Premila Trivedi - Survivor & Consultant: ' Reminded me very much of what's going on in MH re recovery just now, and how there are a whole range of views re 'moving on', independence and getting out there into what is still a very discriminatory and hostile world, especially for those who've been in services a long time. Sometimes it seems that in all the excitement re recovery, people are forgotten.'