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