Visible Fictions

Background
Who's involved and why
Initial findings
The Next Phase

Visible Fictions is a theatre company which specialises in work with and for young people. This Exemplar project forms a part of their Retreat programme which explores ideas of withdrawal, isolation and mental wellbeing through a series of participation projects using the medium of theatre. The project, in partnership with East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Councils and the mental health organisation Penumbra, is based on the company’s professional theatre production ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.’ It involves both young mental health service users, and, more broadly, other young people interested in exploring wellbeing issues and theatre.

Background on project

Last year Visible Fictions worked with Penumbra, with a group of young people who formed a steering group to organise a conference - ‘In Ma Heid, Oot Ma Heid’ - for young people to explore issues around mental health. The steering group was to present the findings from this conference at the Children In Scotland conference for adult professionals a month later.  It was decided that Visible Fictions would run the drama element of young people’s conference as well as coordinating a residency to create a piece of theatre that would explore the material generated at ‘In Ma Heid, Oot Ma Heid’ and the outcome would be presented at the Children in Scotland conference.

This piece was performed at both conferences and has now been filmed which can now be seen on the Penumbra website.

As a result of the relationship with Penumbra Visible Fictions successfully applied to Artful to deliver a participation project exploring the ideas of withdrawal, isolation and mental wellbeing through the medium of theatre.  This phase of Retreat has been inspired by Visible Fictions’ production of ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ by Jim Cartwright and will be delivered in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council and Penumbra. The target group for the programme is young people who are mental health service users and, more broadly, young people interested in exploring issues of mental wellbeing.

Who's involved and why

The final group is based in the Tollcross area in the East End of Glasgow.  They are an all female group of young people; all 15 years old and have an interest in exploring mental health issues which affect young women within their community

'You could really relate to the characters in the play, it was a shame for Little Voice' - Rachel, 15 'It always starts with the smallest thing then just starts to build up,  it’s like an irritation that won’t go away' - Gaynor, 15 'It’s difficult to get head space when you have exams coming up' - Charlotte, 16

Initial Findings

The project is still in the initial stages with only workshops, performances and one residency taking place.  The main element of the project is to take place in June, July and August as the young people have fed back that April and May are dominated by studying and exams.  However during this initial engagement some clear themes have been raised and explored:

• The young people have identified pressures relating to exams as a point of the year where stress levels increase.  They begin to feel more pressure from Teachers, Friends, Family and themselves.  The group have relayed comments such as ‘These exams are the most important things you will ever do and will affect the rest of your life’
• The young people from Castlehead have found the progression from 3rd to 4th year as a time you can identify as stress becoming an issue within their lives.  The group couldn’t remember being stressed before they reached this period.
• The groups have found it challenging discussing the difference between mental, physical, and learning disabilities.  There was confusion between someone who has a learning disability and someone who has mental health issues.  The idea that mental health often remains hidden unless the person chooses to disclose information was something the group found interesting.
• The groups have explored how different people cope with stressful situations within their life to explore coping mechanisms. 
• The groups have used image work to translate how they feel when stress levels increase.  They have used frozen images and machines to convey how their mind feels when stress levels increase.
• Everyone involved has commented they have benefited from accessing theatre within their local area.  It has been an important element of the project to highlight positive activities young people can access.

The next phase

Visible Fictions will hold two artists labs to explore how the ideas generated can be transferred into a theatrical concept.  Animation and sound artists will collaborate with the young people to create the final design for the piece.  The young people have expressed an interest to recreate their thoughts and feeling using cartoons and animation as opposed to presenting it live on stage.  The three groups of young people will be brought together for a two week intensive residential during the summer holidays.  The three groups will work together to create the final production and it is hoped young people will be involved throughout including technical support.

'The teachers say that these exams will affect that rest of our lives, that’s pressure.' - Ruth 15 'Great opportunity for the kids to explore the themes.' - Health Coordinator '... The work being done by Visible Fictions in creatively using the theatre's front of house spaces for workshops, and by making productions accessible to the young people involved means that they are really able to engage with Eastwood Park Theatre as an inclusive space where they can experience the arts.' - Katie Duffy Performing Arts Coordinator

For further information please contact Paul Gorman on 0141 221 8727 or email Paul at Visible Fictions.