Chances are someone you know has an eating disorder. Nearly 1 million women and girls in the UK have one. Is it really just skinny girls, refusing to eat?
Joy Unspeakable is a dynamic, all-female, gig-theatre show exploring disordered eating through real-life testimony - why it’s all about food and nothing to do with food.
With large doses of anger, hope, and joy, Ordinary Glory present the true testimonies of four women, each with a different eating disorder, and each at a different stage of recovery.
Expect physical theatre, live folk and punk music, and real-life stories.
Joy Unspeakable has been developed in consultation with mental health and eating disorder experts, including experts by lived experience. Our partners have included: Emily Troscianko (Health Coach and Research Associate, Oxford Research Centre), Samantha Hartley (a critical friend and formerly of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Young People's Mental Health Research Unit), Professors at King's College’s Eating Disorders Unit, BAND, MhIST,1Point, Bolton at Home and Bolton Social Prescribing Network.
An audience experience of care has remained uppermost in the development of the show. Support information will be provided for all audience members.
There will be post-show conversations with mental health professionals and eating disorder experts at each venue, as well as a post-show creative workshop for anyone interested in exploring the content and themes of Joy Unspeakable using creative tools. For more information, please follow the booking link for each venue.
Age: 16+
Content warnings: Reference to suicide and disordered eating
Running Time: Approx. 90 mins (plus 45 mins for post-show conversations after some performances)
CREATIVE TEAM
Director & Curator – Amy Hailwood
Musical Director, Composer & Sound Designer – Pierre Flasse
Movement Director – Jennifer Kay
Lighting Designer – Tracey Gibbs
Design Consultant - Sascha Gilmour
Dramaturg – Helen Monks
Assistant Dramaturg (R&D phase) - Francesca Tennant
Engagement Lead – Lynsey O’Sullivan
Production Manager / Technical Stage Manager – Frances Allison
Assistant Stage Manager - Anita Ezeh
Casting Director - Francesca Tennant
Casting Consultant - Olivia Barr
Wellbeing Coordinator - Dr. Zoe Tsivos
Environmental Responsibility Consultant – Robin Lyons
Producer – Alastair Michael
CAST
Kate Benfield
Tasha Dowd
Rachel Hammond
Erin Rydal
Marketing Photography by Chris Payne
Marketing Design by Micah Purnell