Beyond Caring, a new play by Christina Castling looks at life behind the doors of a care home and will tour the North East this autumn.
Based on interviews with residents, relatives and staff, the play, co-produced by Gala Durham and Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, uncovers the reality of caring for others, looking after ourselves and getting older.
Audiences are invited to meet Queenie, Elaine and Alex, resident, relative and carer at Cedar Point Care Home—a place where corridors roar with laughter and ache with sadness.
Care home resident Queenie, played by Judi Earl, is staging a protest because she wants to have a tab and can’t have one without being supervised. Elaine, whose mum is busy deciding whether she wants to go into a care home, will be played by Jacqueline Phillips, and Alex, a carer, will be brought to life by Rosie Stancliffe.
As part of the tour, there will be two special events in Durham and Darlington encouraging care staff to explore their wellbeing.
The tour will stop off at Gala Durham; Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham; Blackhall Community Centre; Hamsteels Community Centre; Clara Vale Village Hall; Hipp @ The Hullabaloo at Darlington Hippodrome; The Customs House in South Shields; Arts Centre Washington; The Witham in Barnard Castle; Trimdon Grange Community Centre; Coundon & Leeholme Community Centre; Hamsterley & Low Westwood Community Centre; Witton Park Village Hall; Pelton Community Centre; St John’s Hall, Meadowfield and Live Theatre in Newcastle before heading to Casterton Village Hall, Carnforth; Kirkby Stephen Sports & Social Club; Frosterley Village Hall and Middleton & Todridge Village Hall, Morpeth as part of Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.
A digital recording will be made available to be shown in care homes across the region for a limited time.
Beyond Caring is the second full-length play by Durham-based playwright Christina Castling. It follows the success of A Way Home, which toured theatre and community venues in 2022.