Dramatic Endeavours

Before I go on, I feel this post needs a little disclaimer. The books/plays I talk about, I talk about briefly and I'll admit that I haven't done copious amounts of research on each before writing this, though several of them I did study at GCSE/A Level several years ago. But this is a little glimpse on these works and what I have taken from them. It is no way an in-depth study. It is from what we read and watch that we are able to form our understanding of the world. In literature and theatre, many books and plays have attempted to portrayed mental health issues. However, I believe that there are many that have done damage to how mental health issues are understood and the way society perceives them. This legacy is primarily made up of books/plays from the past and all of the examples I cite are. I do think literature and theatre is becoming ever better at discussing mental health issues in a sensitive and understanding manner. As an example, recently I saw The Cow Play by E...

I recently saw a fantastic page on Buzzfeed (a massively addictive site) that featured 21 pieces of art that captured part of what it means to have depression. All of the pictures were brilliant in their own way and there were a couple referencing the effects of depression I could relate to very well. There were also several that depicted the reactions people with depression have come across from other people. As I have posted before about the stigma and difficulty of sharing the mental health issues one has with others, about how often one is treated as though they are being over-dramatic, I have chosen artwork capturing that to post here. However, all 21 images are well worth looking at (here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/hnigatu/comics-that-capture-the-frustrations-of-depression) and I recommend you do check them out. By Moose Kleenex. More artwork here: http://moosekleenex.tumblr.com/ By B. Patrick, more artwork here: http://www.akimbocomics.com/ By Susie...

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about what constitutes growing up. Partly this is because I am starting to stand on my own two feet and become responsible for myself as a graduate, partly it is because I saw one of the best (if not the best) stage production I have ever seen last week, Peter and Alice by John Logan, and partly because the production my own theatre company is putting on, Bridge to An Island , also explores in part the moments that we let go of childhood and fantasies. But it is also because of what I have observed in the past year.  As Miranda Hart says in one episode of Miranda , ‘You might call me a child, good. For if adults had even the slightest ‘in the moment joy’ of a child, then frankly the world would be a better place.’ I agree with her, though I suggest she sees adults and grown ups as two different things. I believe that there should be a difference from being termed as an adult and as a grown up. I think you can be an adult without being ...