- Venue: Courtyard Theatre
- Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)
- Age Guidance: 11+
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Triggers & Advisories:
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details.
Triggers & Advisories
Please note this production contains a naturalistic portrayal of adapting to life with dementia in the first year after diagnosis. The piece has been created in consultation with people living with dementia and aims to be a safe, supportive production for people recently diagnosed, highlighting both challenges and successes. Includes occasional strong language.
- Info
- Credits
- Reviews
More Information on Maggie May
‘They say we’re like swans. Ruddy beautiful graceful things on the surface of a lake but underneath we’re paddling like mad.’
Maggie and Gordon first met in 1971 and have been dancing to the sounds of Cliff Richard, Chairmen of the Board, and Jackson 5 ever since. Now in their sixties, and still very much in love, they’ve been finishing each other’s songs all their marriage. But now Maggie is feeling foggy and some days the songs are all she can remember. Her son and new girlfriend are coming to dinner and her best friend is asking questions.
An extraordinary play about an ordinary Leeds family, balancing the challenges of daily life whilst living with dementia. A heartfelt story of hope by award-winning playwright Frances Poet, Maggie May is an inspiring new play with love, laughter and music.
All performances are dementia-friendly
Audience members with dementia can expect a warm welcome at every performance from our supportive, dementia-aware staff.
Maggie May has been created in collaboration with many people living with different types of dementia and their ideas have been crucial in making this play. This includes influencing the story, technical design elements, colour choices in the set and costumes, sound and music, and captioned reminders to guide people from scene to scene.
There is a comfortable space for reflection outside the auditorium – The Picture Booth – for anyone who needs it, designed by Leeds Playhouse Resident Designer Warda Abbasi, to amplify the experiences of people living with dementia and their relationship to music. There is also a dedicated Quiet Space in the Brooke Room on Floor 2, which is available to anyone who needs it during performances of Maggie May.
Cast & Credits
Writer Frances Poet / Director Jemima Levick / Set & Costume Designer Francis O'Connor / Lighting Designer Chris Davey / Composer & Sound Designer Claire McKenzie / Casting Director Kay Magson / Theatre & Dementia Advisor Dr Nicky Taylor / Movement Director Joseph Mercier / Associate Designer Alex Doidge-Green / Dialect Coach Eleanor Manners /
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Eithne Browne
as Maggie -
Shireen Farkhoy
as Claire -
Maxine Finch
as Jo -
Mark Holgate
as Michael -
Tony Timberlake
as Gordon
Reviews
“ Funny, furious and moving look at dementia's impact”
“ A truly beautiful, moving and uplifting piece of theatre”
“ Sensitive, hilarious and emotional”
“ a powerful and poignant production, an intimate examination of the impact of dementia on a family told with honesty and humour”
Book Tickets
Open captioning allows theatre goers with varying degrees of hearing to view the full text as it is spoken or sung, including sound effects and off stage noises. These appear on a scrolling screen, positioned on or at the side of the stage.
British Sign Language InterpretedA signed performance is the usual full production using either the creative use of sign integrated into the performance or a British Sign Language Interpreter on stage interpreting the show for D/deaf attendees.
Audio DescribedAudio Described performances are designed to improve the experience of visually impaired and blind attendees. As well as listening to the dialogue on stage the customer can wear a headset and listen to a live description of the action on stage.
Relaxed PerformanceA relaxed performance is a specially selected show from our programme, with slight adaptations to make it suitable for an audience of young people or adults with learning disabilities. This may include extra lighting, additional wheelchair spaces and the freedom to move to alternative seating if required.
Dementia-Friendly PerformanceDementia friendly performances are for all audiences. The theatre experience is enhanced for people living with dementia and their supporters, with adaptations to front of house service, the show and pre-show information packs. Additional dementia-aware staff, quiet spaces, clear signage and visual markers, sound and lighting adjustments and flexible seating options all help to create a supportive, shared experience.
Sing AlongSingalong with the cast in this exclusive performance. Join in as loud as you like, fancy dress is optional but highly recommended.
Post Show DiscussionParent & Baby Performance
A Parent and Baby performance enables parents to attend the theatre with their baby (under 12 months). We make small adaptations to the lighting and sound effects, including keeping the auditorium lights slightly raised. The seating is unallocated and there is a relaxed attitude to noise.
Booking Fees:
*A transaction fee of £2.50 will be applied to all phone and internet bookings.
Key:
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- Captioned
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- Signed
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- Audio Description
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- Relaxed Performance
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- Dementia Friendly Performance
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- Post Show Discussion
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- Sing Along
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- Socially Distanced
Major funders
Principal Capital and Families Partner
Principal Capital and Access Partner
