A FUNNY, angry and poignant story of one man using his creation of a new stand-up act to find a path through his confused and damaged mind and reconnect with the world takes to the stage at Worcester Arts Workshop on Friday, June 10 at 7.30pm.
‘The Gary & Robert Blues’ is presented by Forthright and is part theatre, part stand-up intercut with a blues music soundtrack.
Sponsored by Redditch Mental Health Action Group (MHAG) the performance is billed as a powerful and thought provoking piece of theatre.
Chair of MHAG Harriet Ernstsons-Evans said: “Forthright are doing an excellent job bringing important issues like mental health to the forefront of people’s minds. By doing so they are reducing stigma and the more we reduce stigma, the closer we get to parity of esteem with physical health.”
Written by local playwright Andy Higgitt, the work started as a 30 minute stand-up to raise awareness about men’s health. Then the tragic death of footballer Gary Speed hit the news, with reminders of the suicide of German goalkeeper Robert Enke a couple of years earlier.
Drawing on his own experience of depression, Andy spoke to other men, (and their partners), and gathered their stories.
The resulting script is an honest reflection of their highs, lows and black humour.
The team is completed by great tech support from Tim Mackrill and a brilliant performer in Stephan Bessant.
For tickets call Worcester Arts Workshop on 01905 25053 or visit www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk
Watch a video at www.youtube.com and search for ‘Gary and Robert Blue’.
