Community Chaos : A Collection of Plays Exploring Mental Health Issues in Today's Society (English Edition) [Kindle-editie] beoordelingen het boek quotes

Description1. THE ORDER OF DISORDER Through the use of dialogue, soliloquy, physical theatre, imagery, and some moments of stark humour, the ‘Order of Disorder’ presents a woman’s attempts to examine her eating difficulties and explore the possible reasons behind her illness, making extensive use of stylised theatre with a poetical thread running through. “This is a sensitive and moving account of a young woman’s problems with anorexia. I can see it being used to great effect in drama therapy work. It rang very true, particularly the ‘lunch’ monologue. In fact, I’d imagine that that would stand alone very effectively. The rest of the play is also convincing and I’m sure that it could be staged so that it made its point. You have a fascinating story to tell – full of drama and conflict.” Stagecoach Report Form, The Rep, Birmingham developed and performed as part of the author’s final project during her HND in Community Theatre, the piece has since been commissioned for several other performances, both as a performance of the complete play, and ‘Lunch’ as a stand alone monologue. MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES COVERED: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Dysmorphia 2. BODYBUILDING AN OUTLINE FOR A DIFFERENT IDEA FOR THEATRE This play aims to challenge societal perceptions, attitudes and expectations of what women today are supposed to yearn for or feel they should attempt to attain. Using caricatured, larger-than-life characters whose behaviours at times verge on ‘theatre of the absurd’, this darkly humorous piece incorporates satire, fantasy, music and song, along with strong visuals to accompany dialogue which makes social comment on themes prevalent in Western culture today. The ludicrous and bizarre nature of the piece is juxtaposed with a serious look at how many women in modern society believe that success and happiness lie in the moulding of ourselves into a perceived acceptable or even perfect physical form….a form which we can pay for, if we have the means. For this reason, the surreal theatrical style of the piece is intended to reflect the ridiculous assumptions we make about how we can attain happiness in this way; a dogged, superficial, plastic, insincere cheeriness about getting what we want by whatever methods we can…whilst not far beneath the surface lurks the dark despair that arrives once we find that money and plastic surgery and the perfect body do not in themselves necessarily bring the happiness and perfection that myriad members of today’s society seem to crave …for others as much for themselves. The use of comedy, both zany, and at times dark, is used in this piece as a vehicle to quickly engage an audience and draw them into the content of the play. Thus one hopes that they will be given the opportunity to ask themselves some questions about serious issues whilst remaining entertained and inspired by means of a refreshing approach to an innovative piece of theatre. MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES COVERED: Body Image, low self-esteem and poor sense of self