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Sucking Eggs: Conversations on ageing
“Some days I just want to shout to the world that I am still here and I have something to say.” Commissioned by Newcastle University and in collaboration with Alphabetti Theatre, Sucking Eggs was co-written by VOICE® members alongside esteemed North East writer Steve Byron.
We’re always looking for new ways to start conversations about health research, ageing and innovation and the creative arts present a brilliant way to do this. Using real stories and experiences from VOICE® members, we worked with Steve Byron and Ali Pritchard from Alphabetti Theatre to create a piece of theatre which explores the theme of ageing.
In early 2020 North East writer and facilitator Steve Byron worked with VOICE members over a series of weeks to create a script for a play that explored the theme of ageing, using their insights and experiences. We hope the play will engage a wide audience with the story of ageing, told through real stories. This play, co-created with the public, is titled ‘Sucking Eggs’, a kitchen sink drama about what it means to grow older.
I enjoyed the whole experience. It was fascinating to hear the life experiences of the various members of the team. Of the thousands of words spoken during the six meetings, I eagerly look forward to seeing how Steve is going to condense them into a one-hour play with two actors.
Working with Alphabetti Theatre, a community theatre and registered charity in Newcastle, meant that we could connect with new and interesting people previously unknown to us. All performances at Alphabetti are ‘pay what you feel’, a scheme unique to the city which aims to make theatre inclusive for everyone. This is a lovely opportunity to collaborate and share our audiences as we introduce our communities to each other.
Sucking Eggs will be available to watch at Alphabetti from the 15th of June, with the option of viewing in-person with a socially-distant audience, or in the comfort of your own home via a digital live stream (broadcasting every night from the 22nd of June). We’re running these performances alongside digital panel discussions and community group workshops to explore the different themes of ageing featured in the play. Join us as we take a closer look at topics including housing, care, innovation, the global challenge of ageing, and creative ageing.
Bringing together the world of science and the creative arts is something I am very passionate about. I am immensely proud of this project and I cannot wait to see it performed on stage this June. We hope this will give the public an insight into what ageing means on a personal level, and the research going on right now to support our ageing population. Join me in watching Sucking Eggs by booking tickets for both the show and panel discussions on Alphabetti Theatre’s website now: https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/whats-on